Cell network selectively applying proxy mode to minimize power

ABSTRACT

A wireless access point and multiple wireless terminals exchange utilization, status, mobility and reception characteristics. Each wireless terminal generates reception characteristics based on transmissions received from the wireless access point and from other devices in the network. In one operating mode, the characteristics gathered by the wireless devices are forwarded to the wireless access point, and, based on all received characteristics, the wireless access point selects a client device for the relay of communications between itself and another client device. In another mode of operation, the access point selects a relay proxy on a transmission by transmission basis. In response to a request, a servicing client device repeats intercepted transmissions sent by a client device and intended for the access point.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of the followingpending patent applications:

1. U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 11/386,583, filed date of Mar. 22,2006, and entitled: ACCESS POINT AND TERMINAL WIRELESS TRANSMISSIONPOWER CONTROL BASED ON POINT TO POINT PARAMETER EXCHANGES;

2. U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 11/398,930, filed on Apr. 6, 2006,and entitled: ACCESS POINT MULTI-LEVEL TRANSMISSION POWER AND PROTOCOLCONTROL BASED ON THE EXCHANGE OF CHARACTERISTICS; and

3. U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 11/429,559, filed on May 5, 2006,and entitled: ACCESS POINT MULTI-LEVEL TRANSMISSION POWER CONTROLSUPPORTING PERIODIC HIGH POWER LEVEL TRANSMISSIONS, and

4. U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 11/490,557, filed on Jul. 20, 2006,and entitled: ADAPTIVE COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT TO ACCOMMODATE HIDDENTERMINAL CONDITIONS,

all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety forall purposes.

The present application also claims priority under 35 USC §119(e) toU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/802,373, filed May 22, 2006 andentitled “ACCESS POINT MULTI-LEVEL TRANSMISSION PROTOCOL CONTROL BASEDON THE EXCHANGE OF CHARACTERISTICS, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety for all purposes.

The present application is related to U.S. Utility application Ser. No.11/649,934, filed on even date herewith and entitled: CELL NETWORK USINGFRIENDLY RELAY COMMUNICATION EXCHANGES, and which is incorporated hereinfor all purposes.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to wireless communication systems, andmore particularly to communication monitoring and relay operations bywireless communication devices within such wireless communicationsystems.

2. Related Art

Wireless communication systems are known to support wirelesscommunications between wireless communication devices affiliated withthe system. Such wireless communication systems range from nationaland/or international cellular telephone systems to point-to-pointin-home wireless networks. Each type of wireless communication system isconstructed, and hence operates, in accordance with one or morestandards. Such wireless communication standards include, but are notlimited to IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, advanced mobile phone services(AMPS), digital AMPS, global system for mobile communications (GSM),code division multiple access (CDMA), wireless application protocols(WAP), local multi-point distribution services (LMDS), multi-channelmulti-point distribution systems (MMDS), and/or variations thereof.

An IEEE 802.11 compliant wireless communication system includes aplurality of client devices (e.g., laptops, personal computers, personaldigital assistants, etc., coupled to a station) that communicate over awireless link with one or more access points. The transmitting device(e.g., a client device or access point) transmits at a fixed power levelregardless of the distance between the transmitting device and atargeted device (e.g., station or access point). Typically, the closerthe transmitting device is to the targeted device, the less error therewill be in the reception of the transmitted signal. However, as isgenerally understood in the art, wireless transmissions may include someerror and still provide an accurate transmission. Thus, transmitting atpower levels that provide too few errors is energy inefficient. But,transmitting at too high a power may interfere with other access pointsand/or client devices in the proximate area.

As is also generally understood in the art, many wireless communicationssystems employ a carrier-sense multiple access (CSMA) protocol thatallows multiple communication devices to share the same radio spectrum.Before a wireless communication device transmits, it “listens” to thewireless link to determine if the spectrum is in use by another stationto avoid a potential data collision. At lower received power levels,this protocol can lead to a hidden terminal problem when two devices,generally spaced far apart, are both trying to communication with athird device in the middle. While the device in the middle can “hear”the two devices on the periphery, these two devices cannot hear oneanother—potentially creating data collisions with simultaneoustransmissions destined for the middle device.

Additional operational difficulties relate to client devices thatoperate on the fringe of the coverage area of the access point. Duringsome operations, the access point and client device may adequatelycommunicate but during other operations the same access point clientdevice may not adequately communicate, resulting in loss of service,multiple retransmissions, and other degradation of service quality fornot only the inaccessible client device but for other client devices aswell.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the artthrough comparison of such systems with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a system diagram illustrating a wireless network inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a system diagram illustrating a wireless network inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1C is a system diagram illustrating a wireless network inaccordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing diagram illustrating transmissions by an access pointand client devices in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a timing diagram illustrating transmissions of an access pointand client devices in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a system diagram illustrating a wireless network havingvarious types of client devices that employ various modes of connectionbetween servicing access points and a packet switched backbone networkin accordance with one or more embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating generally components of an accesspoint that may be used in conjunction with a wireless network accordingto one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating generally components of a clientdevice constructed in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating generally components of a clientdevice with optional GPS circuitry and power source regulation circuitryconstructed in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating generally components of an accesspoint having optional AP assessment application that may be used inconjunction with a wireless network according to one or more embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a system diagram illustrating a wireless network constructedand operating in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention that includes a management application in at least one of aplurality of terminals.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for use by a terminal,access point and/or an integrated circuit according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method by use by a terminal,access point and/or an integrated circuit according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method by use by a terminal,access point and/or an integrated circuit according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method by use by a terminal,access point and/or an integrated circuit according to a furtherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method by use by a terminal,access point and/or an integrated circuit according to yet anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method by use by a terminal,access point and/or an integrated circuit according to yet a furtherembodiment of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention sets forth a wireless network, access point,client device, integrated circuit and methods that determinetransmission protocol parameters based on received characteristicssubstantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at leastone of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims thatfollow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A is a system diagram illustrating a wireless network inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A wirelessnetwork 10 includes an access point 110 that is coupled to packetswitched backbone network 101. The access point 110 managescommunication flow destined for and originating from each of clientdevices 121, 123, 125 and 127 over a wireless network 10. Via the accesspoint 110, each of the client devices 121, 123, 125 and 127 can accessservice provider network 105 and Internet 103 to, for example, surfweb-sites, download audio and/or video programming, send and receivemessages such as text messages, voice message and multimedia messages,access broadcast, stored or streaming audio, video or other multimediacontent, play games, send and receive telephone calls, and perform anyother activities, provided directly by access point 110 or indirectlythrough packet switched backbone network 101.

The access point 110 is capable of transmitting high power transmissions99 and reduced power level transmissions 98 at one or more reduced powerlevels, depending on the type of transmission, the characteristics ofthe particular client device to which the transmission is addressed andthe characteristics of the other client devices that are associated withthe access point 110. The access point 110 includes a managementapplication 225, and each client devices 121, 123, 125 and 127 includesa client assessment application 404. The management application 225 andthe client assessment applications 404 of each of the client devices121, 123, 125 and 127 operate to select adequate transmission powersettings that conserve battery power and limit unnecessaryelectromagnetic radiation.

In operation, the access point 110 is capable of transmitting at aselected power level that is based on factors such as the type oftransmission, the reception characteristics, status characteristics,utilization characteristics, mobility characteristics, and theparticular target device for the transmission. For instance, accesspoint 110 can transmit periodic beacons at a high power level thatinclude information relating to the access point 110 and the packetswitched backbone network 101, such as a service set identifier (SSID)that identifies the network, a beacon interval that identifies the timebetween the periodic beacon transmissions, a time stamp that indicatesthe time of the transmission, transmission rates that are supported bythe access point 110, parameters sets pertaining to specific signalingmethods such as channel number, hopping pattern, frequency hop dwelltime etc., capability information relating to the requirements thatclient devices need to associate with the access point 110 such asencryption and other privacy information, a traffic indication map thatidentifies stations in power saving mode, and/or other controlinformation and data. These beacons are used to support new associationswith client devices 121, 123, 125, and 127 that enter the proximity ofaccess point 110 or that otherwise become active within this proximity.In particular, these beacon signals are sent with an address field, suchas a universal address, that addresses the beacon transmission to allclient devices. A client device that wishes to associate (orreassociate) with the wireless network 10, detects the beacontransmission and responds with an association response transmission,including the SSID, that begins the association (or reassociation)process between the new client device and the access point 110.

Access point 110 is further operable to transmit other network controland management information, such as association responses, reassociationresponses, probe responses, clear to send signals, acknowledgements,power-save polls, contention-free end signals, and/or other informationor data in packets or frames at reduced power levels in order to limitinterference with neighboring networks, conserve power, etc. However,one or more other transmissions of access point 110 are sent betweenbeacon transmissions at a higher power level to: 1) support associationsor reassociations; 2) communicate channel busy indications; and 3)deliver channel other network information, such as pending messageinformation, timing information, channel parameter information, etc.While these frames or packets may be addressed to other client devices,a client device scanning to associate with a new wireless network, suchas wireless network 10, can detect these packets or frames for thelimited purposes of determining the timing, protocol or rate of thesetransmissions, determining the received power level and identifyingother information pertaining to the network, such as the SSID, that issufficient to produce an association request. In this fashion, forexample: 1) new associations can be supported at a frequency that isgreater than the frequency of the periodic beacon transmissions; 2)pending messages can be detected and requested without having to waitfor the next beacon; 3) hidden terminal problems caused by lower powertransmissions can be mitigated; and 4) channel parameter adjustments canbe made more rapidly.

Reduced power levels are determined based on reception characteristicsrelating to how well the client devices 121, 123, 125, and 127 receivethese beacon transmissions can be generated by the client assessmentapplications 404 of these client devices and transmitted back to theaccess point 110. The response by the management application 225 dependson the reception characteristics received from the client devices 121,123, 125 and 127. For example, the management application 225 may decideto select a customized power level for the access point to transmit toeach of the client devices 121, 123, 125, and 127 that may be reducedfrom the maximum power output, but that provides sufficient power to bereceived by that particular client device. The management application225 also selects a high or intermediate power level that is sufficientto be received by all of the client devices 121, 123, 125 and 127.Specific packets, such as all acknowledgements (ACKs), every other ACK,every nth ACK etc., all data packets, occasional data packets, etc. aretransmitted by the access point 110 at the high or intermediate powerlevel that will reach all of the client devices 121, 123, 125 and 127,with the remaining packets transmitted at the power level that iscustomized for the particular client device 121, 123, 125 or 127 towhich the packets are addressed. Alternatively, the managementapplication 225 may decide to select a lower power level fortransmissions by the access point 110 that will reach the client devices121, 123 and 127, but not the client device 125. For transmissions tothe client device 125, a higher power level will be selected. Inaddition, periodic or occasional transmissions from the access point 110will be sent at the higher power level even though they are not destinedfor the client device 125, and other periodic or occasionaltransmissions will be sent at the highest power level to supportassociations and so on. Many other variations are possible that involveselecting various power transmission levels for the access point 110,with such power levels being selected to reach one or more associatedclient devices, to reach all associated client devices, and to reachunassociated client devices.

Similarly, the management application 225 also determines thetransmission power levels of the client devices 121, 123, 125 and 127.It does this by retrieving information (e.g., reception characteristics)from each of the client devices regarding their ability to detect andreceive transmissions from the client devices 121, 123, 125, and 127. Inthe present embodiment, because no direct transmissions occur betweenthe client devices 121, 123, 125 and 127, the retrieved informationalways relates to transmissions sent by the client devices 121, 123,125, and 127 to the access point 110. In other embodiments, thetransmissions may in fact be direct. Regardless, from the retrievedinformation, the access point 110 delivers power control instructions toeach of the client devices 121, 123, 125, and 127. Such power controlinstructions may merely command that all transmissions occur at anidentified, single power level. Alternatively, the power controlinstructions may indicate that a single client device use multipledifferent power levels in communicating with the access point 110. Forexample, because transmissions from the client device 121 may be easilydetected by all of the other client devices 123, 125 and 127 and theaccess point 110, the access point 110 commands that the client device121 always transmit at a low power level that all network participantscan detect. Because transmissions from the client device 121 cannot beeasily detected by the client device 127, the access point 110 directsthat the client device 121 normally transmit at a low power level withperiodic or occasional transmissions at the highest power level. Forexample, the highest power level transmissions might be every third datapacket and/or every third acknowledgment packet. As before, many othervariations are possible that involve selecting various powertransmission levels for the client devices, with such power levels beingselected to reach the access point 110 and to reach one or more otherassociated client devices, all associated client devices, andunassociated client devices.

Reducing the transmitted power of the access point for sometransmissions, and of the client devices themselves, reduces the powerconsumption of these devices—potentially extending the life of thedevices and the battery life for devices that are battery powered. Inaddition, the resulting wireless network 10 is more “transmissionfriendly” to neighboring networks. The transmission of beacons and otherintermediate transmissions at high power promotes the association of newclient devices to wireless network 10. The transmission of packetsaddressed to a particular client device 121, 123, 125, or 127, at acustomized power level enhances the power efficiency of the network. Thetransmission of selected packets at the high or intermediate powerlevel, that will reach all of the client devices 121, 123, 125 and 127that are associated with access point 110, helps reduce hidden terminalproblems by letting other client devices know that a device istransmitting and supports associations by client devices that can detectthe high or intermediate power level, but not the lower customized powerlevel transmissions.

For example, as directed by a client assessment application 404, theclient device 121 assesses transmissions from the access point 110 andthe client devices 123, 125 and 127. The client device 121 generatesreception characteristics based on the assessment. The client device 121also gathers local status information, anticipated bandwidth utilizationcharacteristics and mobility information, and, based thereon, generatesstatus characteristics, utilization characteristics, and mobilitycharacteristics. The client device 121 delivers the receptioncharacteristics, status characteristics, utilization characteristics andmobility characteristics to the access point 110 for use by themanagement application 225. According to their client assessmentapplications 404, the other of the client devices 123, 125 and 127similarly gather and deliver their local status characteristics,utilization characteristics and mobility characteristics along withreception characteristics relating to others of the client devices andthe access point 110.

The access point 110, in accordance with the management application 225,also generates its own reception characteristics and utilizationcharacteristics. The management application 225 adjusts the accesspoint's transmission power and controls the transmission power of eachof the client devices 121, 123, 125 and 127 based on: 1) the receptioncharacteristics received from each of the client devices 121, 123, 125and 127 regarding others of the client devices and the access point; 2)locally generated reception characteristics and utilizationcharacteristics regarding each of the client devices 121, 123, 125 and127; 3) status characteristics from each of the client devices 121, 123,125 and 127; 4) mobility characteristics from each of the client devices121, 123, 125 and 127; and 5) utilization characteristics generated byeach of the client devices 121, 123, 125 and 127. The access point 110achieves such control by causing the access point 110 to deliver controlinstructions to each of the client devices 121, 123, 125 and 127 via thewireless network. Each of the client devices 121, 123, 125 and 127respond to the control instructions by adjusting its transmit power.Such overall control takes advantage of particular, currentcircumstances, including current operational status, relative positionsand properties of any the network nodes (e.g., the access point 110 andthe client devices 121, 123, 125 and 127).

As used herein, “reception characteristics” includes any data, generatedbased on received wireless transmissions, that rates or can be used torate the quality, accuracy or strength of such received wirelesstransmissions. For example, reception characteristics might include anyone or more of a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), bit/packeterror, current/historical error rates, multipath interferenceindications, Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), fading indications, etc.

Status characteristics includes any data relating to an underlyingdevice's prior, current or anticipated readiness, abilities or capacityfor participating on the wireless network. Status characteristicsinclude, for example, the amount of power available, such as whetheralternating current (AC) power is available or only battery power, and,if battery power, anticipated battery life at various transmission powerlevels and at various levels of participation, etc. Statuscharacteristics also include whether a device is currently “sleeping” orinactive or in a low power idle state. It may also include historicalinformation anticipating the current status duration and anticipatedstatus characteristics changes. Status characteristics may also includestatus information relating to each underlying communication softwareapplication that runs on a client device. For example, on a singleclient device two communication applications might be present with onein an inactive state and the other actively communicating. Statuscharacteristics would identify such activity and inactivity.

Utilization characteristics include any parameter that indicates aprior, current or anticipated bandwidth requirement, usage or usagecharacteristic. Utilization characteristics might include anticipatedQoS (Quality of Service) requirements, upstream/downstream bandwidthusage, bandwidth usage characteristics, idle versus active statuscharacteristics, underlying data/media types (e.g., voice, video,images, files, database data/commands, etc.) and correspondingrequirements, etc.

Mobility characteristics include for example indications as to whetherthe underlying device is: 1) permanently stationary, e.g., a desktopclient computer, game console, television, set top box or server; 2)capable of mobility, e.g., a cell phone or mobile VoIP (Voice overInternet Protocol) phone, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and palm,laptop or pad computer; and 3) currently moving, e.g., any one or moreof current position and direction, velocity and accelerationinformation.

By way of example, the access point 110 may transmit at ten discretepower levels at 1 dB increments, say 10 through 1, with 10 correspondingto the full power transmission, 9 corresponding to a 1 dB reduction intransmitted power, 8 corresponding to a 2 dB reduction in power, etc.Based on reception characteristics received from client devices 121,123, 125, and 127, management application 225 of access point 110determines the following power levels are sufficient to be received byeach client device:

Client Device Power level 121 5 123 6 125 8 127 6Access point 110 transmits beacons at a power level of 10. Access point110 transmits every other ACK with a power level of 8, 9 or 10,sufficient to be received by each client device 121, 123, 125 and 127and to support the association by other client devices. Other packetsfrom access point 110 are transmitted at the power level assigned to theaddressee client device. Packets addressed to client devices 123 or 127are transmitted at power level 6, packets addressed to client device 121are transmitted at power level 5, packets addressed to client device 125are transmitted at power level 8.

While the reception characteristics are described above as generated inresponse to access point beacons, the reception characteristics can alsobe collected by a given one of the client devices 121, 123, 125 and 127through a test mode and through “sniffing”. In the test mode, the accesspoint 110 directs each of the client devices to respond with receptioncharacteristics in response to transmissions from the access point 110at one or more transmission power levels. Also, in the test mode, theaccess point 110 directs one of the client devices 121, 123, 125 and 127to transmit at one or more selected power levels and all others togenerate and deliver reception characteristics in response. The accesspoint 110 may similarly direct each of the others of the client devices121, 123, 125 and 127 to send the test transmissions and correspondinglyhave the others respond by generating reception characteristics. Testingcan be conducted periodically or whenever conditions indicate thattransmission power adjustments may be needed. Devices that are mobilemay undergo testing more often than those that are stationary.Collecting reception characteristics through sniffing involves a clientdevice listening to ordinary (not test) transmissions from and to theaccess point 110. The access point 110 may request receptioncharacteristics based on such sniffing or may be delivered sameoccasionally or periodically (e.g., as significant changes are detected)and without request by each client device. Similarly, without request,status characteristics, utilization characteristics and mobilitycharacteristics may be reported as significant changes therein occur bya client device to the access point 110.

Further, while the selected power levels used by access point 110 totransmit to each client device are described above as being determinedbased on reception characteristics, management application 225 canlikewise use status characteristics, utilization characteristics andmobility characteristics and with periodic updates thereto, to determinethe customized power levels for transmission to each client device 121,123, 125, and 127 and the high or intermediate power level that willreach all client devices. For example, the client device 123 generatesreception characteristics from transmissions between the client device121 and the access point 110. The client device 123 delivers thereception characteristics generated to the access point 110. The clientdevice 123, a stationary desktop computer, has access to AC power, andhas a full-duplex, video streaming application running in an activecommunication state which requires significant bandwidth and QoS. Theclient device 123 communicates such corresponding statuscharacteristics, utilization characteristics and mobilitycharacteristics to the access point 110. The client device 125, abattery powered device with significant remaining battery life, isoperating with little communication traffic either direction. The clientdevice 125 generates reception characteristics for all communicationexchanges. The client devices 121 and 127, portable communicationdevices with minimal power resources, both have one or morecommunication applications active that require light but continuousbandwidth demands. Both also generate reception characteristicsregarding communication flowing in all directions. Such receptioncharacteristics and underlying status characteristics, utilizationcharacteristics and mobility characteristics are communicated to theaccess point 110. The management application 225 of the access point 110considers all such received communications, and for example, may operateat the higher overall transmission power with protocol supported QoS andpriority when transmitting to client device 123. When transmitting atthe high or intermediate power level, all of the other client devicesshould receive the transmissions and attempt to avoid simultaneous,interfering transmissions. Further, the management application 225 mayincrease the power level for transmission to client device 125, giventhe mobility of this device and the potentially changing receptioncharacteristics that this client device may experience.

For transmission to the access point 110 from the client devices 121,123, 125 and 127, the management application 225 can determine atransmission power level, based on the reception characteristics(including receptions by client devices 121, 123, 125 and 127 oftransmissions from other client devices), status characteristics,utilization characteristics and mobility characteristics, that aretransmitted by access point 110 to each respective client device. By wayof further examples, the client devices 121 and 127 may each adequatelyreceive transmissions from the access point 110.

An analysis of reception characteristics and status characteristics byaccess point 110 may also reveal that the client device 123 is easilydetected by each of the other devices and that it is running low onbattery power. In response, the access point 110 can select a reducedtransmission power level for the client device 123 that extends itsbattery life. An analysis of reception characteristics and mobilitycharacteristics by access point 110 may reveal that the client device125 is highly mobile. Rather than relying solely on receptioncharacteristics, the access point 110 selects a transmission power levelfor the client device 125 that takes into consideration its possiblemovement about the transmission range of the wireless network 10.

An analysis of their reception characteristics by access point 110 mayreveal a hidden terminal condition that includes a potential hiddenterminal condition. For example, the access point 110 identifies ahidden terminal condition when reception characteristics received fromthe client device 127 indicate a failure by the client device 127 todetect transmissions from the client device 121. The access point 110may also identify potential hidden terminal conditions when receptioncharacteristics received from the client device 127 indicate, forinstance, that the client device 127 can barely detect transmissionsfrom the client device 121. In these circumstances, the access point 110can identify a potential hidden terminal condition between the clientdevices 121 and 127 from reception characteristics generated by theclient device 127 and sent to the access point 110, that indicate thatthe RSSI and/or SNR of transmissions by the client device 121 is/arebelow a threshold that corresponds to reliable communications. Inaddition, other reception characteristics can also be used to identify apotential hidden terminal condition such as a bit/packet error rateabove a threshold and/or marginally acceptable or unacceptableindications of multipath interference or fading.

Further, the access point 110 can detect a potential hidden terminalcondition where the ability to detect transmissions from client device127 by client device 121 is progressively becoming more difficult. Inparticular, the client device 127, either routinely, on a periodic orregular basis, or in response to the detection of marginal receptioncharacteristics from another device, such as the client device 127, candetermine reception characteristics at two or more times and send thesereception characteristics to the access point 110 in separatetransmissions or in a single transmission, along with an indication oftheir times or order in time. In response, the access point 110 canidentify a potential hidden terminal condition based on a worsening inbit/packet error rate, multipath interference or fading over time, orbased on a progressive dropping of in RSSI, SNR, etc.

In addition, other received characteristics such as utilization,mobility, and status characteristics can likewise be used by the accesspoint 110 to determine potential hidden terminal conditions. Forinstance, if transmissions of client device 121 are being received atmarginal reception levels by client device 127, and client device 121 isfurther experiencing a drop in battery power or is nearing the end ofits estimated battery life, a hidden terminal condition may be imminentbetween the client device 121 and 127. In addition, if transmissions ofclient device 125 are being received at marginal reception levels byclient device 123 and the access point 110 determines that the clientdevice 125 is moving further away from the client device 123, based onmobility characteristics (e.g. GPS data, velocity, etc.), a hiddenterminal condition may be imminent between client devices 123 and 125.

To avoid such existing or potential hidden terminal conditions, theaccess point 110 may choose to: a) boost its transmission power; b)boost the transmission power of one or all of the associated clientdevices; c) adjust underlying protocol parameters; d) select analternate protocol; e) employ an additional protocol; f) direct one ormore devices to enter an inactive or sleep mode, and/or g) hand off orotherwise direct one or more of the client devices to the service ofanother access point. For example, in the event that a client device,such as the client device 127, has difficulty detecting transmissionsfrom the client device 121 due to low or decreasing signal strength,unacceptable or increasing fading and/or interference, the access point110 can increase the transmit power or modify the protocol parameters ofthe client device 121 (including the selection of an alternativeprotocol with more favorable protocol parameters or the adoption of anadditional protocol that is used between at least the access point 110and the client device 121) so that transmissions by the client device121 include more aggressive error correcting codes, and/or requiresmaller data payloads or packet length, with more frequentacknowledgements by the access point 110 transmitted at a power levelsufficient to be heard by the client device 127. In addition, the backoff times can be increased for transmissions by the client device 127 orother channel access requirements can be changed, to lessen thepossibility of a contention with client device 121.

In addition, in the event that the movement of a mobile client device,such as the client device 125, creates a potential hidden terminalcondition with one or more other client devices such as the clientdevice 123, the transmit power level of client device 125 and accesspoint 110 can be boosted, a more aggressive error correcting code can beemployed, the back-off times for the client device 123 can be increasedand the packet size of packets sent by client device 125 can bedecreased to lessen the chances of contention. In the alternative, theclient device 125 can be handed-off to a neighboring access point (notshown) that, based on reception characteristics received by the accesspoint 110, is receiving client device 125 with sufficient signalstrength to support an association.

Further, in the event that a particular client device such as the clientdevice 121 is experiencing decreased transmit power due to a drop inbattery power or is otherwise reaching the end of its battery life, theaccess point 110 can command the client device 121 into a sleep mode toavoid potential hidden terminal conditions. The access point 110 canpotentially reawaken the client device 121 after a period of time with adecreased transmit power, sufficient to reach the access point 110 andcalculated to extend battery life while setting long back-off periodsfor the client devices 123, 125 and 127 to lessen the chance ofcontention. In another mode of operation, the access point 110 canalternatively inactivate two client devices, such as the client devices121 and 127 that are liable to experience a hidden terminal condition,for instance, inactivating the client device 127 when the client device121 is reawakened, and reawakening the client device 127 when the clientdevice 121 is inactivated, etc.

As illustrated above, to address hidden terminal conditions, themanagement application 225 may adjust the protocol or protocols used incommunicating between the access point 110 and the client devices 121,123, 125 and 127 and power levels inherent in and associated therewith.In one mode of operation, management application 225 selectively adjustsone or more protocol parameters, such as the packet length, data rate,forward error correction, error detection, coding scheme, data payloadlength, contention period, and back-off parameters used by access point110 in communication with one or more of the client devices 121, 123,125 and 127, based on the analysis of the reception characteristics,status characteristics, utilization characteristics, and mobilitycharacteristics. In this fashion, the protocol parameters can be adaptedfor power conservation, to mitigate potential hidden terminalconditions, and to minimize unnecessary transmission power utilizationbased on the conditions of the network. These conditions for exampleinclude not only the mobility, utilization, status, and receptioncharacteristics of a particular device, but the mobility, utilization,status, and reception characteristics of a plurality of devices, and howwell each client device receives other client devices.

In a further mode of operation, access point 110 and client devices 121,123, 125, and 127 can operate using a plurality of different, andpotentially complimentary, protocols having different protocolparameters. Access point 110 can likewise adjust protocol parameters byselecting a particular one of a plurality of protocols that suits theparticular conditions present in the wireless network 10, as determinedbased on an assessment of utilization characteristics, statuscharacteristics, mobility characteristics and/or receptioncharacteristics. For instance, an access point can select from802.11(n), 802.11(g) or 802.11(b) protocols having different protocolparameters, data rates, etc., based on the particular protocol bestsuited to accommodate the characteristics of the client devices 121,123, 125 and 127 that are present. For example, hidden terminalconditions along with other reception parameters may cause an accesspoint to simultaneously: 1) use a first protocol with a first set ofparameters to service a first one or more client devices; 2) use asecond protocol with a second set of parameters to service a second oneor more client devices; 3) use the second protocol with a third set ofparameters to service a third one or more client devices; and 4) handoff a fourth one or more client devices to a neighboring (oroverlapping) access point.

It should be noted that the examples described in conjunction with FIG.1A are merely illustrative of the many functions and features presentedin the various embodiments of the present invention set forth more fullyin conjunction with the description and claims that follow.

FIG. 1B is a system diagram illustrating a wireless network inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Thewireless network 10 of FIG. 1B is similar in structure to the wirelessnetwork 10 of FIG. 1A but supports additional functionality. The accesspoint 110 includes the management application 225 to support theoperations described with reference to FIG. 1A and the additionaloperations described with reference to FIG. 1B. Further, each of clientdevices 121, 123, 125, 127, and 129 includes a client application 404.In combination, the processing circuitry, wireless transceivercircuitry, and applications 404 and 225 of access point 110 and clientdevices 121, 123, 125, 127, and 129 support the operations describedwith reference to FIG. 1B. The operations of FIG. 1B will be furtherdescribed herein with reference to FIGS. 13-15.

According to a first operation of the wireless network 10 of FIG. 1B, afirst client device, e.g., client device 125 listens to wirelesstransmissions between a second client device 121 and the access point110. During normal operations, the client device 121 and the accesspoint 110 communicate on a regular or semi-regular basis. However, as isillustrated in FIG. 1B, in some operations, the access point 110operates with reduced power transmissions 98 even though at other timesthe access point 110 operates with high power transmissions 99. Each ofthe reduced power transmissions 98 and the high power transmissions 99may occur at differing times based upon the particular operationalconditions of the access point 110. For example, the access point 110may operate with reduced power transmissions 98 to conserve battery lifeif it is battery powered. Alternatively, the access point 110 mayoperate at reduced power transmissions 98 to reduce interference withneighboring access point coverage areas. When the access point 110operates with reduced power transmissions 98, the client device 121 maynot be able to successfully receive transmissions from the access point110.

At some points in time, the client device 121 operates in a fulltransmit power mode while at other times the client device 121 operatesat reduced transmit power mode. The client device 121 may operate in thereduced transmit power mode when the client device is low on batterypower, for example. Further, client device 121 may transmit at reducedpower to reduce interference caused in neighboring access point coverageareas. When the client device 121 operates in the reduced transmit powermode, the access point 110 may not be able to successfully receivetransmissions from the client device 121.

Thus, according to one operation of the present invention described withreference to FIG. 1B, the client device 125 listens to wirelesstransmissions between the second client device 121 and the access point110, client device 125 using its application 404 and characterizes thewireless transmissions between the second client device 121 and theaccess point 110. Either based upon a request from the access point 110or upon its own initiative, the client device 125 may transmit to theaccess point 110 the characterization of the wireless transmissions sentbetween the second client device 121 and the access point 110. Thischaracterization may include, for example, the reception characteristicspreviously described with reference to FIG. 1A and as may be describedlater herein. Based upon characterizations received from at least thefirst client device 125, and possibly from other client devices 121,123, 127, and 129, the access point 110 may direct the first clientdevice 125 to initiate wireless transmission relaying operations. Inresponse thereto, the client device 125 begins relaying wirelesstransmissions between the access point 110 and the second client device121. Relaying of communications between the client device 121 and theaccess point 110 may include simply relaying transmissions sent from theaccess point 110 and intended for the client device 121. Alternatively,or in addition to this type of relaying, the relaying may includerelaying communications sent by the second client device 121 andintended for the access point 110. Thus, the relaying operations of thefirst client device 125 may be either unidirectional (in eitherdirection) or may be bidirectional. The relaying of transmissionsbetween the second client device 121 and the access point 110 maycontinue until the access point 110 directs the client device 125 tocease the relaying operations.

According to another aspect of these relaying operations, the accesspoint 110 may selectively request the client device 125 to relaycommunications between the access point 110 and the client device 121.If a frequency of such requests to relay communications exceeds afrequency threshold or a duration threshold, the first client device 125may enter a permanent relaying mode of operation. In this permanentrelay mode of operation, the first client device 125 continue to relayscommunications between the second client device 121 and the access point110 until reset occurs. Reset may occur at system reset or alternativelymay be based upon a direction received from access point 110. Suchrelaying may be unidirectional or bidirectional.

Characterization of transmissions by the first client device 125 (oftransmissions between the second client device 121 and the access point110) may be performed upon a request received by client device 125 fromthe access point 110. In response to this request, the client device 125performs the characterization and reports the characterization to theaccess point. In an alternate operation, the client device 125 mayperiodically, or based upon certain properties of the characterization,report the transmission characteristics to the access point 110.

As is shown generally in FIG. 1B, the access point 110 may operate inreduced power transmissions 98 or high power transmissions 99. Therelaying operations performed by the first client device 125 as directedby the access point 110 may be initiated when the access point 110enters reduced power transmissions 98 mode of operation. Then, when theaccess point 110 enters the high power transmissions 99 mode ofoperation, the access point 110 may direct the first client device 125to cease its relaying operations.

Transmission characteristics that cause the entry and exit from therelaying mode of operation may be based upon a number of criterions. Afirst criterion would be the received energy level of transmissions asintercepted by the first client device 125. Another characteristic maybe whether or not the first client device 125 receives a transmissionerror free. For example, if the client device 125 is able to receiveerror free intercepted transmissions (from either/both of the secondclient device 121 or access point 110), the first client device 125 issuitable for relaying communications between the access point 110 andthe second client device 121. However, if the first client device 125does not receive transmissions error free from the second client device121 and/or the access point 110, the first client device 125 may notadequately serve as a relaying client device. In such case, the accesspoint 110 may select a different client device for relaying operationsif such client device is available.

In determining whether to initiate or cease the wireless transmissionrelaying operations, the access point 110 and/or the first client device125 characterizes the wireless transmissions between the second clientdevice 121 and the access point 110. In such case, the wirelesstransmission relaying operations would commence when certaincharacterization criterion are met. For example, a first transmissioncharacterization criterion, when met, would result in initiation of thewireless transmission relaying operations. Further, when a secondtransmission characterization criterion is met, the wireless relayingoperations may cease. These two criterions may relate to the mobility ofclient device 121. For example, when client device 121 moves from aposition within the reduced power transmissions 98 coverage area and thehigh power transmissions coverage area 99, its reception transmissioncharacteristics from the perspective of access point 110 change. In suchcase, the access point may direct the first client device 125 to relaytransmissions there between. Then, when the position of the secondclient device 125 moves to a position within the reduced powertransmission 98 coverage area, the access point 110 may direct the firstclient device 125 to cease its wireless relaying operations. Thesedecisions of the access point 110 may be based upon a reported positionof client device 121 using its GPS circuitry 416 that will be describedwith reference to FIG. 7. In such case, the access point 110 willestablish geographic boundaries for the initiating and cessation ofwireless transmission receiving operations. The location information ofthe second client device 121 may be further applied in the scenario witha directional antenna, as described further with reference to FIG. 1C.The boundaries of the access point 110 coverage area using thedirectional antenna may be determined and then, based on thesegeographical areas and reported positions of the client device 121, theaccess point 110 may selectively direct the first client device 125 toperform relaying operations.

According to still another aspect of the wireless network 10 of FIG. 1B,the first client device 125 may selectively repeat intercepted wirelesstransmissions sent between the client device 121 and the access point110. In a first example of this operation, client device 121 may be on aboundary of the service coverage area of access point 110. Further, theclient device 121 may be a battery powered device that is in a reducedtransmit power mode of operation due to a low battery condition. In suchcase, transmissions from client device 121 may not have sufficientstrength to reach access point 110 to be received error free. In suchcase, first client device 125 in its course of operations, interceptswireless transmissions sent from the second client device 121 that areintended for the access point 110. With the access point 110 failing toreceive the transmission from second client device 121, and knowing thatfirst client device 125 may be available for relaying operations, theaccess point 110 sends a request to the first client device 125 torepeat the intercepted wireless transmissions. Then, in response to thereceipt of the request from the access point 110, the first clientdevice 125 transmits to the access point 110 the intercepted wirelesstransmission sent from the second client device 121 and intended for theaccess point 110.

When the frequency of such repeat/relay requests from the access point110 exceeds a frequency threshold, the first client device 125 mayperform automatic repeating/relaying of the intercepted transmissions(transmitted from client device 121 and intended for access point 110).This operation may be considered to be permanent relaying by firstclient device 125 and transmissions from second client device 121 toaccess point 110. Such permanent relaying operations may continue tountil access point 110 directs first client device 125 to cease suchpermanent relaying operations. Alternatively, the first client device125 may cease its permanent relaying operations in response to anincreased detected transmission power of the wireless transmissions fromsecond client device 121 intended for access point 110.

In a further variation of these operations, the first client device 125may determine whether or not the intercepted transmission of secondclient device 121 is received error free. If the interceptedtransmission (from the second client device 121 to the access point 110)is received error free, the first client device 125 relays the wirelesstransmission to the access point 110. If the first client device 125does not receive the transmission from the second client device 121error free, the first client device 125 may transmit a message to theaccess point indicating that it did not receive such transmission errorfree. In such case, the access point 110 may stop asking the firstclient device 125 to selectively relay intercepted wirelesstransmissions.

According to another aspect of the wireless network 10 of FIG. 1B, theaccess point 110 using its management application 225, receivesreception characteristics, status characteristics, and mobilitycharacteristics from the plurality of client devices 121, 123, 125, 127,and 129. Based upon at least one of these reception characteristics,status characteristics, and mobility characteristics, the access pointmay select a relay proxy for relaying transmissions between the accesspoint 110 and another client device. In a first example of theseoperations, the access point 110 requests that each of the plurality ofclient devices 121-129 determine its reception characteristics. Thesereception characteristics, as were previously described, relate toevaluations made by the client device regarding transmissionsintercepted by the wireless device that are made between another of theplurality of client devices and the access point. For example, clientdevice 123 in determining reception characteristics would listen forcommunications transmitted by each of the other client devices 121, 125,127, and 129 and the access point 110. Further, the client device 123may listen for wireless transmissions between the other client devices121, 125, 127, and 129. Then, the client device 123 sends thesereception characteristics to the access point 110 for further use.

Based upon the received reception characteristics, the access point 110selects a first client device 123 to act as a relay proxy to relaywireless transmissions between the access point 110 and the secondclient device 129. Note that the second client device 129 residesoutside or on the fringe of the high power transmissions 99 servicecoverage area. Because of this outlying location of the second clientdevice 129, both transmissions from the access point intended for thesecond client device 129 and transmissions from the second client device129, the access point 110 may have insufficient power when received forerror free reception. Thus, in such case, the first client device 123 isdirected to act as a relay proxy to relay wireless transmissions betweenthe access point 110 and the second client device 129. In acting as arelay proxy, the first client device 123 may relay only transmissionssent by the second client device 129 to the access point 110. Suchoperation may occur when the client device 129 is battery powered and isin a reduced transmit power of operation to reduce battery life.However, in another operation, in relaying wireless transmissionsbetween the access point 110 and the second client device 129, the firstclient device 123 relays both transmissions sent by the second clientdevice 129 to the access point and transmissions sent by the accesspoint 110 to the second client device 129.

According to another aspect of this operation of the wireless network10, the plurality of client devices 121-129 may gather statuscharacteristics and report the status characteristics to the accesspoint 110. The access point 110 may use these status characteristics inselecting the first client device 123 to act as a relay proxy forrelaying wireless transmissions between the access point 110 and thesecond client device 129. Moreover, the status characteristics of thesecond client device 129 may be used in selecting the first clientdevice 123 as the relay proxy for communications between the secondclient device 129 and the access point. An example of such statuscharacteristic would be the remaining battery life or current transmitpower of the second client device 129. The status characteristics of thefirst client device 123 that may be used as selecting the first clientdevice 123 as the relay proxy may consider whether the first clientdevice 123 is wall-plugged powered. Such is the case because a deviceacting as a relay proxy must be able to increase its wirelesstransmission and receipt workload considerably as compared to servicingonly its own transmissions. Thus, with the first client device 123battery powered, the first client device 123 would certainly havesufficient power to relay communications for differing other devices.

The plurality of client devices 121-129 may further determine theirmobility characteristics and report these mobility characteristics tothe access point 110. Then, the access point may select the first clientdevice 123 to act as the relay proxy for relaying wireless transmissionsbetween the access point 110 and the second client device based upon themobility characteristics. One example of the mobility characteristics iswhether the client device 123 is stationary. With the first clientdevice 123 stationary, the access point makes its relay proxy decisionwith the knowledge that the first client device 123 will be stationaryand will be able to relay communications for client devices in itsvicinity. Another consideration of selection of the relay proxy may bebased upon the mobility characteristics of the second client device 129.For example, if the second client device 129 is moving and is in acurrent location, selection of the relay proxy may differ. For example,if the second client device 129 is in the vicinity of the first clientdevice 123, the choice of the first client device 123 as the relay proxymakes sense. However, if the second client device 129 is moving awayfrom the first client device 123 and towards client device 127, it maymake sense for the client device 127 to serve as a relay proxy forwireless transmissions between the second client device 129 and theaccess point 110.

Other characteristics that may be used in determining or selecting arelay proxy are utilization characteristics of the plurality of clientdevices 121-129. Utilization characteristics may include, for example,the wireless transmit communication loading of the plurality of wirelessdevices, the processing loading of the plurality of wireless devices, orother characteristics that would effect the ability of the client deviceto act as the relay proxy. These utilization characteristics arecollected by the plurality of wireless devices and reported to theaccess point 110. The access point may select a client device, e.g.,first client device 123, as the relay proxy based upon utilizationcharacteristics of the first client device 123. An example of such adetermination may be if whether the first client device 123 hassufficient communication capability and processing capability to operateas a relay proxy between the second client device 129 and the accesspoint 110. If client device 123 has insufficient processing capabilityor wireless communication capability, the access point will not selectit as the relay proxy. Alternatively, if the first client device 123 hassufficient processing capability and sufficient wireless communicationcapability, the access point 110 may select the client device 123 as aproxy for communications between the second client device 129 and theaccess point 110. Further examples of the operations of the wirelessnetwork 10 of FIG. 1B will be described herein with reference to FIGS.2-15.

FIG. 1C is a system diagram illustrating a wireless network inaccordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. Withthe embodiment of FIG. 1C, the access point 110 has a directionalantenna array that is controllable to alter the shape of the coveragearea of access point 110, i.e., the coverage area of the access point110 may change based upon the configuration/control of the antennaarray. As shown in FIG. 1C, the coverage area may be altered betweenfull coverage 95 and beam formed coverage 93. The access point 110 may,depending upon operational and system conditions such as client devicerequirements, interference considerations, and other operationalconsiderations operate with full coverage 95 at sometimes/configurations and operate with beam formed coverage 93 with othertimes/configurations. With the full coverage, the access point 110 isable to service all client devices 121-129. However, in the beam formedcoverage 93, the access point 110 is not able to adequately service allclient devices, e.g., client device 129. Thus, in order to address theshort comings of any coverage area caused by a change in antennapattern, the access point 110 may direct a client device 123 to enterrelaying operations to provide service coverage for client device 129,which is not adequately serviced with the beam formed coverage 93. Ofcourse, if the access point 110 changes to the full coverage 95 antennapattern, the access point 110 may cease/not require such transmissionrelaying operations.

FIG. 2 is a timing diagram illustrating transmissions by an access pointand client devices in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. In particular, FIG. 2 shows exchanges between access point110 and client device 121 and exchanges between access point 110 andclient device 123. While exchanges between the access point 110 and twoclient devices are shown, embodiments of the present invention apply touse with a greater number of client devices. In this diagram,transmissions of data, and network management and control informationsuch as data packets, acknowledgements and beacons are representedgenerally by blocks whose relationship to the timing of other events canillustrate a mode of operation, the durations of these blocks not shownto scale. The relative amplitude of these blocks represents the powerlevel of a particular transmission, with taller blocks being transmittedat greater power and shorter blocks being transmitted at lower power.

In the example of FIG. 2, access point 110 transmits at a high powerlevel, such as the highest power level, for the periodic beacons 40.Transmissions to client device 121, such as acknowledgements 52 and 56are at a first reduced power level that is sufficient for reception byclient device 121. Transmissions to client device 123, such astransmissions 60 are at a second reduced power level that is sufficientfor reception by client device 123. Selected acknowledgements, such asacknowledgement 54 and selected transmissions such as transmission 64are at a higher power level such as the power level used for the beacons40 or a power level that can be heard by all of the client devices inthe network. Transmissions 50 by client device 121 are at the powerlevel selected by access point 110 for this device based on thecharacteristics of client device 121. Acknowledgements 62 by clientdevice 123 are transmitted at the power level selected by access point110 for client device 123 device based on the characteristics of thisdevice.

Using these multiple transmit power operations, access point 110transmits selected wireless transmissions, such as beacons 40,acknowledgement 54 and transmission 64, at a first power level designedto reach both client devices 121 and 123 and potentially other devicesthat wish to associate with wireless network 10. Other wirelesstransmissions, such as periodic acknowledgements 52 and 56 by the accesspoint 110, are sent at a second power level that is selected to supportboth delivery of the packets to the client device 121 and detection ofthese transmissions by the client device 123, the first power levelbeing greater than the second power level. In addition, wirelesstransmissions, such as transmissions 60 are sent at a third power levelselected to support receipt of the packets by client device 123 device,the second power level being greater than the third power level.

The selection of the particular intermediate transmissions by accesspoint 110, made between the periodic beacons 40 and are sent at a highpower level to support association by a client device, may be performedin several differing manners. For instance, transmissions of aparticular type, such as the transmission of data packets or frames,acknowledgement packets or frames, or other types of control ormanagement packets or frames can alternate between N transmissions atthe reduced power level and M transmissions at the higher level, where Nand M are integers that are greater than zero. For instance, 1 of 2, 1of 3, 1 of 4, 1 of 6, or 1 of 16, etc., data frames or packets can besent at the high power level with the other packets sent at the reducedpower level. Or for instance, 1 of 2, 1 of 3, 1 of 4, 1 of 6, or 1 of16, etc., acknowledgement frames or packets can be sent at the highpower level with the other packets sent at the reduced power level.Alternatively, the access point 110 can keep track of the timing betweenbeacons 40 to identify one or more periodic high-power transmissionwindows, such as midway between these beacons or equally spaced betweenthese beacons. Transmissions of data, control or management packets orframes that occur during these high-power transmission windows areautomatically transmitted at the high power level.

FIG. 3 is a timing diagram illustrating transmissions of an access pointand client devices in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. In particular, FIG. 3 shows exchanges between access point110 and client device 121 and exchanges between access point 110 andclient device 123. While exchanges between the access point 110 and twoclient devices are shown, the invention herein likewise applies for usewith a greater number of client devices. In this diagram, transmissionssuch as data packets, acknowledgements and beacons are represented byblocks whose relationship to the timing of other events can illustrate amode of operation, however, the durations of these blocks are not shownto scale. The relative amplitude of these blocks represents the powerlevel of a particular transmission, with taller blocks being transmittedat greater power and shorter blocks being transmitted at lower power.

Prior to the beginning of the time shown by FIG. 3, client device 121has generated first characteristics by evaluating transmissions, such asbeacons, test transmissions or routine ongoing transmissions, from boththe access point 110 and other client devices, and further, byevaluating its own utilization, status and mobility. Likewise, clientdevice 123 has generated second characteristics by evaluatingtransmissions from both the access point 110 and other client devices,and its own utilization, status and mobility. Client device 121transmits, at a preset power level, transmission 130 to the access point110 that includes the first characteristics. Access point generates anacknowledgement 132 in response at a first power level, such as a highor full power level. Client device 123 transmits, at a preset powerlevel, transmission 134 to the access point 110 that includes the secondcharacteristics. Access point generates an acknowledgement 136 inresponse at the high power level.

The management application 225 of access point 110, having received thefirst characteristics from client device 121 and second characteristicsfrom client device 123 assesses both the first characteristics and thesecond characteristics and, based on the assessment, selects both asecond power level of the plurality of power levels for transmissions bythe access point 110 to the client device 121 and a third power level ofthe plurality of power levels for transmissions by the access point 110to the client device 123. Although not shown, the access point 110 mayselect an alternate protocol, based on such assessment, and coordinateswitch-over from that currently being used to the alternate protocol.

The management application 225 determines a selected power level fortransmissions by the client device 121 and a selected power level fortransmissions by the client device 123 and other possible protocolparameters that are sent, respectively, to client devices 121 and 123 intransmissions 140 and 144 that are acknowledged, respectively, byacknowledgements 142 and 146.

After the transmission powers and protocol parameters for the accesspoint 110 and the client devices 121 and 123 are established, theoperating mode begins. In this example, the access point 110 transmitsat a highest power level for the periodic beacons 140. Transmissions toclient device 121, such as acknowledgement 154 are at a first reducedpower level that is sufficient for reception by client device 121.Transmissions to client device 123, such as transmissions 160 alternatebetween a second reduced power level that is sufficient for reception byclient device 123 and the first reduced power level. In addition,periodic acknowledgements, such as acknowledgements 152 and 156 are at ahigher power level that can be heard by all of the client devices in thenetwork and that provide better support for the association by otherclient devices than acknowledgement 154. Transmissions 150 by clientdevice 121 are at the power level selected by access point 110 for thisdevice based on the characteristics of client device 121.Acknowledgements 162 by client device 123 are transmitted at the powerlevel selected by access point 110 for client device 123 device based onthe characteristics of this device.

In this fashion, access point 110 transmits selected wirelesstransmissions, such as beacons 140 at a first power level, to reach bothclient devices 121 and 123 and potentially other devices that wish toassociate with wireless network 10. Other wireless transmissions, suchas periodic acknowledgements 152 and 156 by the access point 110, aresent at a second power level that is selected to support both deliveryof the packets to the client device 121 and detection of thesetransmissions by the client device 123 and potentially other devicesthat wish to associate with wireless network 10, the first power levelbeing greater than the second power level. In addition, wirelesstransmissions, such as transmissions 160 are sent at a third power levelselected to support receipt of the packets by client device 123 device,the second power level being greater than the third power level.

Alternatively, if circumstances warrant, the access point 110 couldchoose all of its transmissions other than the highest power beacons tobe tailored specifically for the client device 121 even though theclient devices 123 cannot hear such transmissions. To combat such hiddenterminal condition, the access point 110 commands the client device 121to transmit at a power level sufficient for the client device 123 todetect. With a protocol that requires at least periodic confirmation bythe client device 121 (e.g., interspersed acknowledge packets), eventhough the client device 121 cannot hear the access point 110, theclient device 123 will hear the periodic confirmation transmissions (orpayload transmissions from the client device 121), and thus determinethat the access point 110 is engaged. At the same time, the access point110 may determine that the client device 121 can hear transmissions bythe access point 110 at power levels only great enough to adequatelysupport the client device 123. Based on this determination, the accesspoint 110 might direct the client device 123 to transmit at a powerlevel only sufficient to adequately reach the access point 110 but notthe client device 121.

Of course, various other circumstances warrant various othertransmission power and protocol configurations. For example, if theaccess point 110 determines that transmissions from and to the clientdevice 121 can be selected such that they provide adequate performanceyet not be heard by the client device 123, the access point 110 mayadopt such power levels. Because the client device 123 has indicated anidle status, the access point 110 may accept any unexpected interferencefrom the client device 123 as it exits the idle status to transmitduring a communication exchange between the client device 121 and theaccess point 123. Thereafter, the access point 110 can change powerlevels to accommodate the both of the client devices 121 and 123 intheir active states. Or, instead of merely tolerating such unexpectedinterference, the access point 110 may employ a different protocoloperation or an entirely different protocol to accommodate suchcircumstances. An example of this would be for the access point 110 tocommand that the client device 123 only attempt transmissions from theidle state during a fixed period after a beacon and thereafter avoidcommunication exchanges with the client device 121 during such period.This change might be supported within the current protocol, or mightrequire a change from the current protocol to another. Similarly,instead of switching protocols, the access point 110 may choose tooperate two different protocols at the same time, by directing at leastone of the two of the client devices 121 and 123 to switch. Further, ifthe access point 110 detects that the client device 123 is plugged intoAC (Alternating Current) power, it may direct the client device 123 toalways transmit at a higher or highest power, while directing the clientdevice 121 (that may operate on limited battery power) to transmit atonly that necessary to reach the access point 110. Many othercircumstances and adaptation by the access point 110 to reduce overallunnecessary transmission power usage by one or more of the clientdevices 121 and 123 and the access point 110 itself are contemplated.

FIG. 4 is a system diagram illustrating a wireless network havingvarious types of client devices that employ various modes of connectionbetween servicing access points and a packet switched backbone networkin accordance with one or more embodiment of the present invention.Packet switched backbone network 101 includes wired data networks 230such as a cable, fiber, or other wired or hybrid network for providingaccess, such as narrowband, broadband or enhanced broadband access tocontent that is local to wired data network 230 or is otherwise accessedthrough Internet backbone 217. In particular, examples of wired datanetworks 230 include a public switched telephone network (PSTN), cabletelevision network or private network that provides traditional plainold telephone service, narrowband data service, broadband data service,voice over internet protocol (IP) telephony service, broadcast cabletelevision service, video on demand service, IP television service,and/or other services.

Packet switched backbone network 101 further includes a terrestrialwireless data network 232 that includes a cellular telephone network,personal communications service (PCS), general packet radio service(GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), or integrateddigital enhanced network (iDEN). These networks are capable of accessingwired data networks 230 through internet backbone 217 and for providingthe many of the services discussed in conjunction wired data networks230 in accordance with international wireless communications standardssuch as 2G, 2.5G and 3G.

Packet switched backbone network 101 also includes satellite datanetwork 234 for providing access to services such as satellite videoservices, satellite radio service, satellite telephone service andsatellite data service. In addition, packet switched backbone network101 includes other wireless data networks 236 such as a WiMAX network,ultra wideband network, edge network, Universal Mobile TelecommunicationSystem, etc., for providing an alternate medium for accessing any of theservices previously described.

Access points 211-213 provide access to packet switched backbone network101 through a wired connection to wired data networks 230. In addition,access point 213 is capable of providing access to packet switchedbackbone network 101 through wireless data networks 236. Set top box(STB) 214 includes the functionality of access points 211, 212, and/or213 while further including optional access to terrestrial wireless datanetwork 232, satellite data network 234, and wireless data network 236.In particular, STB 214 optionally includes additional functions andfeatures directed toward the selection and processing of video contentsuch as satellite, cable or IP video content. While the term “accesspoint” and “set top box” have been used separately in the context ofthis discussion, the term “access point” shall include both thefunctionality and structure associated with a set top box, including butnot limited to STB 214.

A plurality of client devices are shown that include personal computers(PC) 203 and 206, wireless telephones 204 and 207, television (TV) 205,and wireless headphones 208. These client devices are merely examples ofthe wide range of client devices that can send data to and receive datafrom access points 211-213 and STB 214. While each of these clientdevices are shown pictorially as having integrated transceiver circuitryfor accessing a corresponding access point, an separate wirelessinterface device may likewise be coupled to the client module via a portsuch as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, Personal Computer Memory CardInternational Association (PCMCIA) Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) 488 parallel port, IEEE 1394 (Firewire)port, Infrared Data Association (IrDA) port, etc.

Access points 211-213 and STB 214 include a management application 225and personal computers (PC) 203 and 206, wireless telephones 204 and207, television (TV) 205, and wireless headphones 208, include clientassessment application 404 that allow these devices to implement thepower management method and structure in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. Further discussion of these wireless networks,access points, client devices, including methods for use therewith willbe set forth in association with FIGS. 3-9 and the appended claims.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating generally components of an accesspoint that may be used in conjunction with a wireless network accordingto one or more embodiments of the present invention. In particular,access point 300, such as access point 110, 211-213, STB 214, ispresented. Access point 300 includes communication interface circuitry308 for communicating with at least one packet switched backbone network101. While a single connection is shown, in an embodiment of accesspoint 300, such as access point 213 and/or STB 214, communicationinterface circuitry 308 provides a plurality of interfaces thatcommunicatively couples with packet switched backbone network 101, suchas the various networks shown in association with FIG. 4.

Access point 300 further includes access point transceiver circuitry302, operatively coupled to the communication interface circuitry 308,that manages communication by transmitting at a plurality of powerlevels and receives data over a wireless network 10, to and from aplurality of client devices, such as client devices 121, 123, 125, 127,PCs 203 and 206, wireless phones 204 and 207, TV 205 and wirelessheadphones 208. Access point 300 also includes memory circuitry 306, andprocessing circuitry 304 that controls communication flow between thecommunication interface circuitry 308 and the access point transceivercircuitry 302, and that implements management application 225.Management application 225 includes power logic 227 that selects thepower level of the plurality of power levels for periodic transmissionssuch as beacons, the transmission of data packets and the transmissionacknowledgements, based on the particular target or targets that accesspoint 300 wishes to reach with a particular transmission. In addition,management application 229 includes protocol logic 229 that selectseither particular protocol parameters, or particular protocols for usein communications with one or more of the client devices. Theseprotocols, protocol parameters, client device power levels andtransmission power levels for access point 300 are stored in memorycircuitry 306 and retrieved by processing circuitry 304 as needed.

Management application 229 further includes relay logic 231 thatoperates in conjunction with client application logic of the clientdevices 121, 123, 125, 127, and 129 to perform transmission relayingoperations according to embodiments of the present invention. Thesetransmission relaying operations were previously described withreference to FIG. 1B and will be further described with reference toFIGS. 13-15.

The processing circuitry 304 may be a single processing device or aplurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be, forexample, any one or more of a microprocessor, microcontroller, digitalsignal processor, field programmable gate array, programmable logicdevice, logic circuitry, state machine, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/ordigital) based on operational instructions. The memory circuitry 306 maybe a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices. Such amemory device may be read-only memory, random access memory, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, flash memory, static memory, dynamicmemory, optical or magnetic storage, and/or any device that storesdigital information. Note that when the processing circuitry 304implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, and/or digital circuitry, the memorystoring the corresponding operational instructions may be embedded inthe circuitry comprising the state machine, logic circuit, analogcircuit, and/or digital circuit.

In an embodiment of the present invention, wireless network 10 conformsto at least one industry standard communication protocol such as 802.11,802.16, 802.15, Bluetooth, Advanced Mobile Phone Services (AMPS), GlobalSystem for Mobile Communication (GSM), and General Packet Radio Service(GPRS). Other protocols, either standard or proprietary, may likewise beimplemented within the scope of the present invention.

In operation, the management application 225 receives receptioncharacteristics, status characteristics, mobility characteristics andutilization characteristics from at least one of the plurality of clientdevices. The reception characteristics includes, for example, point topoint reception parameters such as the strength of signals received byat least one of the plurality of client devices from other devices overthe wireless link. Based on at least some of the receptioncharacteristics, status characteristics, mobility characteristics andutilization characteristics, the management application 225 selectstransmission power levels for itself and for each of the plurality ofclient devices, and transmits corresponding control signals to theplurality of client devices, directing transmission power adjustment tothe selected power levels.

In addition, the protocol or protocol parameters used in communicatingbetween devices of the wireless network are adapted by managementapplication 225 to the particular characteristics of the access pointand the client devices. In one mode of operation, the protocol logic canselectively adjust one or more protocol parameters, such as the packetlength, data rate, forward error correction, error detection, codingscheme, data payload length, contention period, and back-off parametersused in communication between devices, based on the analysis ofinformation, such as the reception characteristics, statuscharacteristics, utilization characteristics, and mobilitycharacteristics of these devices. In this fashion, the protocolparameters can optionally be adapted based on the conditions of thenetwork, including not only the mobility, utilization, status, andreception characteristics of a particular device, but the mobility,utilization, status, and reception characteristics of a plurality ofdevices, including how well each device receives transmissions fromother devices.

In one mode of operation, the processing circuitry 304 assessescharacteristics from a plurality of client devices, based on theassessment detects existing and anticipates future hidden terminalconditions. The protocol logic 229 selects a first protocol parameterfor transmissions by the transceiver circuitry 304 to a first clienttransceiver when the hidden terminal condition or potential hiddenterminal condition is detected. In addition, the protocol logic 229,when the existing or potential hidden terminal condition is detected,selects a second protocol parameter for transmissions by the firstclient transceiver to the transceiver circuitry 304 and sends the secondprotocol parameter to the first client transceiver with a command forthe first client transceiver to implement the second protocol parameter.In addition, the protocol logic 229, when the existing or potentialhidden terminal condition is detected, selects a third protocolparameter for transmissions by transceiver circuitry 302 to the firstclient transceiver, the third protocol parameter differing from thesecond protocol parameter. These protocol parameters can be of differentkinds, for instance, the protocol parameters can include parameters suchas an error correcting code parameter, a packet length parameter, a datapayload length, and a contention parameter, data rate, an errordetection parameter, coding scheme, and back-off parameters used incommunication between devices, etc.

Further details, including several optional features of managementapplication 225 are presented in association with FIG. 8.

Communication interface circuitry 308 and selected functions of APtransceiver circuitry 302 can be implemented in hardware, firmware,and/or software. Other functions of transceiver circuitry 302 areimplemented in analog RF (Radio Frequency) circuitry as will beunderstood by one skilled in the art when presented the disclosureherein. When implemented in software, the operational instructions usedto implement the functions and features of these devices can also beimplemented on processing circuitry 304 and stored in memory circuitry306.

In operation, access point 300 communicates with each client device in apoint-to-point manner. To transmit data, access point 300 generates adata packet that is formatted based the selected protocol of wirelessnetwork 10. In particular, communication interface circuitry 308produces data payloads based on data received from packet switchedbackbone network 101. Other control information and data including theselected power levels and protocol parameters destined for the clientdevices of wireless network 10 are derived from power the managementapplication 225 of the processing circuitry 304.

AP transceiver circuitry 302 modulates the data, up-converts themodulated data to produce an RF signal of the wireless network 10. In anembodiment of the present invention, the AP transceiver circuitry 302transmits at one of a plurality of power levels, as determined bymanagement application 225. As one of skill in the art will appreciate,if the access point 300 operates based on a carrier sense multipleaccess with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA), when access point 300transmits data, each client device in communication with wirelessnetwork 10 may receive the RF signal, but only the client that isaddressed, i.e., a target client device, will process the RF signal torecapture the packet.

AP transceiver circuitry 302 is further operable to receive signals fromthe plurality of client devices over wireless network 10. In thisinstance, transceiver circuitry 302 receives an RF signal, down-convertsthe RF signal to a base-band signal and demodulates the base-band signalto recapture a packet of data. In particular, data payloads destined forpacket switched backbone network 101 are provided to communicationinterface circuitry 308 to be formatted in accordance with the protocolused by packet switched backbone network 101. Other control informationand data including the selected reception characteristics received fromthe client devices of wireless network 10 are provided to managementapplication 225 of processing circuitry 304.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating generally components of a clientdevice 400 constructed in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention. The client device 400 shown may be representative ofone of client devices 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, PCs 203 and 206, wirelessphones 204 and 207, TV 205 and wireless headphones 208. In particular,client device 400 includes client transceiver circuitry 402 thattransmits and receives data over wireless network 10 that operates in asimilar fashion to access point transceiver circuitry 402. According toone aspect of the present invention, client transceiver circuitry 402 isoperable to transmit at a selected power level, which may be based upona direction received from access point 300. The client device 400 alsoincludes memory circuitry 408 and processing circuitry 406 thatimplements client assessment application 404, client application 410,and relay application 412.

The processing circuitry 406 may be a single processing device or aplurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be amicroprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, logic circuitry,state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any devicethat manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operationalinstructions. The memory circuitry 408 may be a single memory device ora plurality of memory devices. Such a memory device may be read-onlymemory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory,flash memory, static memory, dynamic memory, and/or any device thatstores digital information. Note that when the processing circuitry 406implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, and/or digital circuitry, the memorystoring the corresponding operational instruction will be embedded inthe circuitry comprising the state machine, logic circuit, analogcircuit, and/or digital circuit.

Further, client device 400 includes a client assessment application 404,operably coupled to the client transceiver circuitry 402 that assessessignals received from other devices, including the access point andother client devices, over the wireless network 10. In response, clientassessment application 404 generates reception characteristics andtransmits the reception characteristics over the wireless link to accesspoint 300. In operation, the client assessment application 404 includesoperational instructions that cause processing circuitry 406 to transferdata and signals to and from client transceiver circuitry 402; to assesssignals 438 received from other devices, including other client devices,over the wireless link; and to generate reception characteristics 436.In one mode of operation, client assessment application calculates ameasure of signal strength, such as RSSI for each of the other devicesand formats this information as reception characteristics 436 fortransmission to management application 225. Further details, includingseveral optional features of client assessment application 404 arepresented in association with FIG. 7.

Client application 410 includes the prime functions of the deviceitself, (e.g. a television, telephones, personal computer, headphones,etc.) Selected data packets transmitted to and wide area networkoriginate 101 from data received from client application 410. Inaddition, data packets received from packet switched backbone network101 are passed to client application 410.

Relay application 412 operates in conjunction with the managementapplication (relaying logic 231) of the access point 110 to executetransmission relaying operations according to embodiments of the presentinvention. These transmission relaying operations were previouslydescribed with reference to FIG. 1B and will be further described withreference to FIGS. 13-15.

Selected functions of client transceiver circuitry 402 can beimplemented in hardware, firmware or software. Other functions of clienttransceiver circuitry 402 are implemented in analog RF circuitry as willbe understood by one skilled in the art when presented the disclosureherein. When implemented in software, the operation instructions used toimplement the functions and features of these devices can be implementedon processing circuitry 406 and stored in memory circuitry 408. In anembodiment of the present invention, one or more components of clienttransceiver circuitry 402, processing circuitry 406 and memory circuitry408 are implemented on an integrated circuit.

In operation, when client device 400 scans to associate with a newwireless network, such as wireless network 10, client device 400 detectsa beacon transmission and/or non-beacon transmissions such as otherdata, network management or control transmissions of an access point,such as access point 300, that are received by client transceivercircuitry 402. Client device 400 responds to the detection bydetermining the timing of the transmission and sends an associationrequest transmission to the access point transceiver circuitry toinitiate an association with the access point to couple the clientdevice 400 to the packet switched backbone network 101 via the accesspoint. While these non-beacon frames or packets may be addressed toother client devices, the client device 400 can detect these packets orframes for the limited purposes of determining the timing, protocol orrate of these transmissions, determining the received power level andidentifying other information pertaining to the network, such as theSSID, that is sufficient to produce an association request to betransmitted to the access point to initiate an association therewith.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating generally components of a clientdevice with optional GPS circuitry and power source regulation circuitryconstructed in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention. Client device 400′ can be used in place of client device 400in any of the applications disclosed herein. In particular, a clientassessment application 404 includes operational instructions that causeprocessing circuitry 406 to support the management application 225 ofthe access point 300. In particular, the client assessment application404 is operably coupled to power source regulation circuitry 420 tomonitor the charging of optional battery pack 422, monitor the chargeused by battery pack 422, to determine the remaining charge on batterypack 422 and whether the optional external power source 424 is currentlyconnected.

The client assessment application 404 includes operational instructionsthat cause processing circuitry 406 to generate battery life data 432and transmit such status characteristics over the wireless network 10via client transceiver circuitry 402. In one mode of operation, clientassessment application 404 generates and transmits further statuscharacteristics such as estimated remaining battery life. For instance,battery life data 432 can indicate the client device 400′ is coupled toexternal power source 424, an estimated battery life for one or moreselected power levels, an estimated battery life for one or more codingschemes, an estimated battery life battery life for one or more possibledata rates, an estimated battery life based on an estimated channelusage, an estimated battery life battery life based on an estimate ofrequired deterministic bandwidth, and an estimated battery life based onan estimate of non-deterministic bandwidth, or other estimates ofbattery life based on further operational parameters of client device400′. Also as mentioned previously, other types of statuscharacteristics can be generated pursuant to the client assessmentapplication 404 and communicated to the management application runningon the access point device 110.

Utilization characteristics can be similarly collected and communicated.For example, utilization characteristics may be retrieved directly fromthe current client application(s) or from the memory 408. Utilizationcharacteristics retrieved from the memory may have originated, forexample, based on: 1) prior interaction with or monitoring of the clientapplication 410; 2) user input; and 3) preset values.

The client assessment application 404 also causes the processingcircuitry 406 to generate and transmit mobility characteristics 434 overthe wireless link 434 via the client transceiver circuitry 402. GPSmodule 416 provides geographical data 418 such as GPS coordinates,scalar and/or vector velocities, accelerations, etc. In addition to suchgeographical coordinate data 418, mobility module can generate mobilitycharacteristics 434 that includes a mobility factor indicative ofwhether the client device is in a stationary condition, the clientdevice is in a low mobility condition such as a laptop computer thatshifts slightly on a table in a coffee shop, or whether the clientdevice is in a high mobility condition, such as in a car or other mobileenvironment. This additional mobility characteristics 434 can beassociated with a type of a device, e.g. a laptop computer may have alow mobility rating, a wireless transceiver circuitry mounted in avehicle may have a medium mobility rating, a desktop computer may have astationary mobility rating, etc. Further the mobility factor can be userselected based on the particular conditions. In addition, the mobilityfactor can be derived based on assessing a scalar or vector velocityfrom GPS module 416 and/or changes in geographical coordinate data 418over time, and comparing the velocity to one of a plurality of mobilitythresholds.

When generated and transmitted to management application 225, batterylife data 432, utilization characteristics 439, mobility characteristics434, and other status characteristics can further be used by managementapplication 225 for determining a selected power level for client device400′, for access point 300, and for other client devices of wirelessnetwork 10, and for determining either a particular protocol or protocolparameters used by client device 400′ in communications with accesspoint 300. When received, selected power level 462 and protocolparameter 464 can be used to generate the transmissions by client device400′ to access point 300.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating generally components of an accesspoint having optional AP assessment application that may be used inconjunction with a wireless network according to one or more embodimentsof the present invention. The access point 300′ includes many commonelements of the access point 300 of FIG. 5, referred to by commonreference numerals. Additionally, the access point 300′ includes an APassessment application 226 that includes operational instructions thatcause the processing circuitry 304 to assess signals 438 received fromthe plurality of client devices, such as client device 400, over thewireless network 10. The assessed strength of signals 438 can also beused by management application 225 to determine the selected power levelthe plurality of client devices of wireless network 10. Access point300′ may be used in any of the applications discussed in conjunctionwith access point 300.

In particular, access point assessment application 226 assesses signals438 received from the plurality of client devices based upon a signalstrength criteria such as RSSI, a signal to noise ratio (SNR), a noiseparameter, or an amount of bit errors, and a bit error rate (BER) ofdata received from the particular client device.

In a test mode of operation, the access point assessment application 226is operable to generate a test packet such as an echo packet that istransmitted to the client device where a reply packet is transmitted andreceived back by access point 300. The number of bit errors or the BERfor this particular packet can be calculated by comparing the receiveddata to the data that was transmitted. All other client devices that donot participate in the exchange listen and generate receptioncharacteristics for the access point assessment application 226.

In a further “sniffing” mode of operation, the access point assessmentapplication 226 receives reception characteristics generated by thevarious client devices based on normal, ongoing packets exchanges withthe access point. For example, reception characteristics might comprisean error detecting code such as a linear block code, convolutional codeor error correcting code can be used to determine the number of biterrors in the received data, within the coding limit of the particularcode use. For instance, a (24,12) Golay code with optional CRC bit coulddetect up to 4 errors in a 24 bit coded word before the coding limit wasreached.

The management application 225 assesses the received receptioncharacteristics 436, mobility characteristics 434, utilizationcharacteristics 439 and battery life data 432. Optional assessedstrength of signals are received from access point assessmentapplication 226. Although not shown, other types of statuscharacteristics and are also received and assessed by the managementapplication 225.

The management application 225 implements a plurality of powermanagement rules based on the reception characteristics 436 (includingthe assessed strength of signals), the mobility characteristics 434,utilization characteristics, battery life data 432 and other statuscharacteristics. The power management rules generate a selected powerlevel to be used by the access point 300 and a selected power level 462to be used by one, all or a group of ones of a plurality of clientdevices, such as client device 400. Upon receiving a correspondingcontrol instruction from the management application 225, any such clientdevice responds by adjusting its transmission power to a directed level.

In operation, the access point 300′, through transceiver circuitry 302,is capable of transmitting at a selected power level that is based onfactors such as the type of transmission, the reception characteristics,status characteristics, utilization characteristics, mobilitycharacteristics, and the particular target device for the transmission.For instance, access point 300′ can transmit periodic beacons at a highpower level that include information relating to the access point 300′and the packet switched backbone network 101 such as a service setidentifier (SSID) that identifies the network, a beacon interval thatidentifies the time between the periodic beacon transmissions, a timestamp that indicates the time of the transmission, transmission ratesthat are supported by the access point 300′, parameters sets pertainingto specific signaling methods such as channel number, hopping pattern,frequency hop dwell time etc., capability information relating to therequirements that client devices need to associate with the access point300′ such as encryption and other privacy information, a trafficindication map that identifies stations in power saving mode, and/orother control information and data. These beacons are used to supportnew associations with client devices such as the client devices 121,123, 125 127, 129, 400 and/or 400′ that enter the proximity of accesspoint 300′ or that otherwise become active within this proximity. Inparticular, these beacon signals are sent with an address field, such asa universal address, that addresses the beacon transmission to allclient devices. A client device that wishes to associate (orreassociate) with the wireless network 10, detects the beacontransmission and responds with an association response transmission,including the SSID, that begins the association (or reassociation)process between the new client device and the access point 300′.

Access point 300′ is further operable to transmit other network controland management information, such as association responses, reassociationresponses, probe responses, clear to send signals, acknowledgements,power-save polls, contention-free end signals, and/or other informationor data in packets or frames at reduced power levels in order to limitinterference with neighboring networks, conserve power, etc. However,one or more other transmissions of access point 300′ are sent betweenbeacon transmissions at a higher power level to: 1) support associationsor reassociations; 2) communicate channel busy indications; and 3)deliver channel other network information, such as pending messageinformation, timing information, channel parameter information, etc.While these frames or packets may be addressed to other client devices,a client device scanning to associate with a new wireless network, suchas wireless network 10, can detect these packets or frames for thelimited purposes of determining the timing, protocol or rate of thesetransmissions, determining the received power level and identifyingother information pertaining to the network, such as the SSID, that issufficient to produce an association request. In this fashion, forexample: 1) new associations can be supported at a frequency that isgreater than the frequency of the periodic beacon transmissions; 2)pending messages can be detected and requested without having to waitfor the next beacon; 3) hidden terminal problems caused by lower powertransmissions can be mitigated; and 4) channel parameter adjustments canbe made more rapidly.

For example, the access point processing circuitry 304 can assess both afirst plurality of characteristics and a second plurality ofcharacteristics received from two client devices associated therewith,and based on the assessment, select a second power level of theplurality of power levels for a first transmission of data packets bythe access point transceiver circuitry 302, addressed to a first of thetwo client devices, and the first power level of the plurality of powerlevels for a second transmission by the access point transceivercircuitry 302, also addressed to the first of the two client devices,and the first power level is greater that the second power level. Thefirst transmission can include data packets from the packet switchedbackbone network and the second transmission can include acknowledgementdata that is based on data packets received by the access pointtransceiver circuitry 302 from the first client transceiver circuitry.Alternatively, the first transmission and the second transmission canboth include data packets from the packet switched backbone network 101.Further, the first transmissions and the second transmissions may bothinclude acknowledgement data that is based on data packets received bythe access point transceiver circuitry 302 from the first clienttransceiver circuitry. Based on these transmissions a third clientdevice having third client transceiver circuitry that detects the secondtransmission, responds to the detection by determining the timing of thetransmission and sends an association request transmission to the accesspoint transceiver circuitry 302 to initiate an association with accesspoint 300′ to couple the third client device to the packet switchedbackbone network 101 via the access point transceiver circuitry 302, theaccess point processing circuitry 304, and the communication interfacecircuitry 300. In addition, the access point processing circuitry 304can select a third power level of the plurality of power levels forthird transmissions by the access point transceiver circuitry 302 to thesecond client transceiver circuitry and the first power level of theplurality of power levels for fourth transmissions by the access pointtransceiver circuitry to the second client transceiver circuitry, andthe first power level is greater than the second power level that isgreater that the third power level.

The selection of the particular intermediate transmissions by accesspoint 300′, that are between the periodic beacons and are sent at a highpower level to support association by a client device, can be performedin several ways. For instance, transmissions of a particular type, suchas the transmission of data packets or frames, acknowledgement packetsor frames, or other types of control or management packets or frames canalternate between N transmissions at the reduced power level and Mtransmissions at the higher level, where N and M are integers that aregreater than zero. For instance, 1 of 2, 1 of 3, 1 of 4, 1 of 6, or 1 of16, etc., data frames or packets can be sent at the high power levelwith the other packets sent at the reduced power level. Or for instance,1 of 2, 1 of 3, 1 of 4, 1 of 6, or 1 of 16, etc., acknowledgement framesor packets can be sent at the high power level with the other packetssent at the reduced power level. Alternatively, the access point 300′can keep track of the timing between beacons to identify one or moreperiodic high-power transmission windows, such as midway between thesebeacons or equally spaced between these beacons. Transmissions of data,control or management packets, or frames that occur during thesehigh-power transmission windows are automatically transmitted at thehigh power level.

Reduced power levels are determined based on reception characteristicsrelating to how well the client devices, such as the client devices 121,123, 125, 127, 129, 400 and/or 400′ receive these beacon transmissionscan be generated by the client assessment applications 404 of theseclient devices and transmitted back to the access point 300′. Theresponse by the management application 225 depends on the receptioncharacteristics received from the client 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, 400′and/or 400′. For example, the management application 225 may decide toselect a customized power level for the access point to transmit to eachof the client devices 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, 400′ and/or 400′ that maybe reduced from the maximum power output, but that provides sufficientpower to be received by that particular client device. The managementapplication 225 also selects a high or intermediate power level that issufficient to be received by all of the client devices 121, 123, 125,127, 129, 400′ and/or 400′. Specific packets, such as allacknowledgements (ACKs), every other ACK, every nth ACK etc., all datapackets, occasional data packets, etc. are transmitted by the accesspoint 300′ at the high or intermediate power level that will reach allof the client devices 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, 400′ and/or 400′, withthe remaining packets transmitted at the power level that is customizedfor the particular client device 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, 400′ and/or400′ to which the packets are addressed. Alternatively, the managementapplication 225 may decide to select a lower power level fortransmissions by the access point 300′ that will reach the clientdevices 121, 123, 127 or 129, but not the client device 125. Fortransmissions to the client device 125, a higher power level will beselected. In addition, periodic or occasional transmissions from theaccess point 300′ will be sent at the higher power level even thoughthey are not destined for the client device 125, and other periodic oroccasional transmissions will be sent at the highest power level tosupport associations and so on. Many other variations are possible thatinvolve selecting various power transmission levels for the access point300′, with such power levels being selected to reach one or moreassociated client devices, to reach all associated client devices, andto reach unassociated client devices.

Similarly, the management application 225 also determines thetransmission power levels of the client devices 121, 123, 125, 127, 129,400′ and/or 400′. It does this by retrieving information (e.g.,reception characteristics) from each of the client devices regardingtheir ability to detect and receive transmissions from the clientdevices 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, 400′ and/or 400′. In the presentembodiment, because no direct transmissions occur between the clientdevices 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, 400′ and/or 400′, the retrievedinformation always relates to transmissions sent by the client devices121, 123, 125, 127, 129, 400′ and/or 400′ to the access point 300′. Inother embodiments, the transmissions may in fact be direct. Regardless,from the retrieved information, the access point 300′ delivers powercontrol instructions to each of the client devices 121, 123, 125, 127,129, 400′ and/or 400′. Such power control instructions may merelycommand that all transmissions occur at an identified, single powerlevel. Alternatively, the power control instructions may indicate that asingle client device use multiple different power levels incommunicating with the access point 300′. For example, becausetransmissions from the client device 121 may be easily detected by allof the other client devices 123, 125, 127, and 129 and the access point300′, the access point 300′ commands that the client device 121 alwaystransmit at a low power level that all network participants can detect.Because transmissions from the client device 121 cannot be easilydetected by the client device 127, the access point 300′ directs thatthe client device 121 normally transmit at a low power level withperiodic or occasional transmissions at the highest power level. Forexample, the highest power level transmissions might be every third datapacket and/or every third acknowledgment packet. As before, many othervariations are possible that involve selecting various powertransmission levels for the client devices, with such power levels beingselected to reach the access point 300′ and to reach one or more otherassociated client devices, all associated client devices, andunassociated client devices.

By way of further example, the power level generation module can,through operation of the power management rules, determine which of theclient devices 400 are not being heard by other client devices. Inresponse, power level generation module can establish a selected powerlevel 462 for such client devices 400 to optionally boost thetransmission power so that they will be heard by some or all of theremaining client devices. In addition, power level generation module canreduce the power generated by a client device 400 that is generating astronger than necessary signal for being heard by the remaining clientdevices.

Management application 225 is further operable to manage the protocol orprotocols used in communicating between the access point 300′ and theclient devices associated with access point 300′ over wireless network10. In one mode of operation, management application 225 can selectivelyadjust one or more protocol parameters, such as the packet length, datarate, forward error correction, error detection, coding scheme, datapayload length, contention period, and back-off parameters used byaccess point 300′ in communication with one or more of the clientdevices 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, 400 and/or 400′ based on the analysisof the reception characteristics, status characteristics, utilizationcharacteristics, and mobility characteristics. In this fashion, theprotocol parameters can optionally be adapted based on the conditions ofthe network, including not only the mobility, utilization, status, andreception characteristics of a particular device, but the mobility,utilization, status, and reception characteristics of a plurality ofother devices, including how well each client device receives otherclient devices.

For example, in the event that a first client device has difficultydetecting transmissions from a second client device, access point 300′can modify the protocol parameters so that transmissions by the secondclient device include more aggressive error correcting codes, increasedback-off times and/or smaller data payloads or packet length to increasethe chances that a packet will be received in the event of contention bythe first client device. In addition, decreasing the packet length canincrease the frequency of acknowledgements transmitted by access point300′. These acknowledgements can be transmitted at a power levelsufficient to be heard by the first client device. With increasedback-off times, first client device is less likely to create a potentialcontention.

In a further mode of operation, access point 300′ and its associatedclient devices can operate using a plurality of different, andpotentially complimentary, protocols having different protocolparameters. Access point 300′ can likewise adjust protocol parameters byselecting a particular one of a plurality of protocols that suits theparticular conditions present in the wireless network 10, as determinedbased on an assessment of utilization characteristics, statuscharacteristics, mobility characteristics and/or receptioncharacteristics. For instance, an access point can select from802.11(n), 802.11(g) or 802.11(b) protocols having different protocolparameters, data rates, etc, based on the particular protocol bestsuited to accommodate the characteristics of the client devices that arepresent.

In a mode of operation, an access point such as access point 300′,manages communication exchanges between a plurality of wireless devices,such as client devices 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, 400 and/or 400′ and apacket switched backbone network 100, such that the plurality ofwireless devices include a plurality of associated devices and at leastone unassociated device. The access point includes interface circuitry,such as communication interface circuitry 308, that communicativelycouples with the packet switched backbone network; wireless transceivercircuitry, such as AP transceiver circuitry 302, that supportstransmissions at a plurality of power levels; processing circuitry, suchas processing circuitry 304 that is communicatively coupled to both theinterface circuitry and the wireless transceiver circuitry, thatreceives via the wireless transceiver circuitry information from each ofthe plurality of wireless devices, such information comprising at leastreception information related to a transmission from the wirelesstransceiver circuitry. In operation, the processing circuitry makes afirst selection from the plurality of power levels for periodic beacontransmissions by the wireless transceiver circuitry. The processingcircuitry makes a second selection from the plurality of power levelsfor transmissions between the periodic beacon transmissions and by thewireless transceiver circuitry to the at least one unassociated device.The processing circuitry, based on at least part the informationreceived via the wireless transceiver circuitry, makes at least a thirdselection from the plurality of power levels for transmissions by thewireless transceiver circuitry to the plurality of associated devices.

The third selection can include selecting a first transmission powerlevel that reaches at least one of the plurality of associated devicesbut not at least one other of the plurality of associated devices, andselecting a second transmission power level that reaches the at leastone other of the plurality of associated devices. The first selectionand the second selection can correspond to a first power level, thethird selection can correspond to a second power level, with the secondpower level being less than the first power level. The third selectioncan include a selection from the plurality of power levels fortransmissions by the wireless transceiver circuitry that cannot beadequately received by at least one of the plurality of associateddevices; and a fourth selection can include a selection from theplurality of power levels for transmissions by the wireless transceivercircuitry to the at least one of the plurality of associated devicesthat cannot adequately receive transmissions pursuant to the thirdselection.

In another mode of operation, an access point, such as access point300′, manages communication exchanges between a plurality of wirelessdevices, such as client devices 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, 400 and/or400′, and a packet switched backbone network 101. The access pointincludes interface circuitry, such as communication interface circuitry308, that communicatively couples with the packet switched backbonenetwork 101; wireless transceiver circuitry, such as AP transceivercircuitry 302; processing circuitry, such as processing circuitry 304,that is communicatively coupled to both the interface circuitry and thewireless transceiver circuitry, that receives via the wirelesstransceiver circuitry information from each of the plurality of wirelessdevices, such information comprising at least reception informationrelated to transmissions from the wireless transceiver circuitry andfrom others of the plurality of wireless devices. In operation, theprocessing circuitry directs transmission of periodic beacons via thewireless transceiver circuitry. The processing circuitry, based on atleast part the information received via the wireless transceivercircuitry, sends a first instruction identifying a plurality oftransmission power levels for transmissions from each of at least one ofthe plurality of wireless devices. The processing circuitry, based on atleast part the information received via the wireless transceivercircuitry, sends a second instruction identifying at least onetransmission power level for transmissions from each of at least oneother of the plurality of wireless devices.

The first instruction can identify a first of the plurality oftransmission power levels for transmission of a first type, and a secondof the plurality of transmissions for transmissions of a second type.Also, the first instruction can identify a first of the plurality oftransmission power levels for some transmissions, and a second of theplurality of transmissions for other transmissions. The plurality oftransmission power levels can include a first transmission power levelcapable of reaching all of the plurality of wireless devices; and asecond transmission power level incapable of reaching all of theplurality of wireless devices. The processing circuitry, based on atleast part the information received via the wireless transceivercircuitry, can select a plurality of access point transmission powerlevels for the wireless transceiver circuitry.

In an embodiment of the present invention, one or more components ofcommunication interface circuitry 308, access point transceivercircuitry 302, memory circuitry 306, and processing circuitry 304 areimplemented on an integrated circuit.

FIG. 9 is a system diagram illustrating a wireless network constructedand operating in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentinvention that includes a management application in at least one of aplurality of terminals. The wireless network 10 includes terminals 400,401 and 402 that are each capable of sending and receiving data from theother terminals over a wireless link. Terminal 400 includes a managementapplication 225 and terminals 400 and 402 include a client assessmentapplication 404 that allows the selection of transmit power levels topromote effective communication, while reducing the power consumption ofterminals. Each of the terminals 400, 401, and 402 are operable toassess the signals received from other devices over the wireless link.Terminals 401 and 402 generate data such as reception characteristicsbased on the assessed signals, battery life data based on estimates ofpower consumption, and other status, utilization and mobilitycharacteristics based indicating how likely the signal strengths for aparticular terminal may change due to movement, how it is being used andits other anticipated current, estimated or anticipated conditions.

Terminals 401 and 402 transmit these data over the wireless link toterminal 400. Terminal 400, determines a selected power level andparticular protocols or protocol parameters for itself and for eachother terminal, based on the data that it receives for each device, andtransmits the selected power levels and protocol parameter(s) back toeach corresponding device. The terminals 401 and 402 can then transmitat a power level and with a protocol that takes advantage of theirparticular circumstances, including their status in the overall wirelessnetwork 10, and based on the positions and properties of the otherterminals that are present.

In operation, terminal 400, while not performing the specific functionsof an access point, is capable of performing other features andfunctions of either access point 300 or access point 300′ discussedherein. In addition, terminals 401, while not necessarily performing thefunctions of a client application, are capable of performing otherfeatures and functions of either client device 400 or client device 400′discussed herein.

In another mode, all parameters are exchanged between every wirelessterminal and the access point so that each can independently orcooperatively make transmission power control decisions.

For instance, a communication network such as wireless network 10 caninclude a first device such as terminal 400, having a first wirelesstransceiver that transmits at a plurality of power levels, a seconddevice, such as terminal 401 having a second wireless transceiver, and athird device, such as terminal 402 having a third wireless transceiver.The second device generates a first reception characteristic based on atleast one transmission from the third wireless transceiver, and thesecond device transmits the first reception characteristic to the firstwireless transceiver of the first device. The third device generates asecond reception characteristic based on at least one transmission fromthe second wireless transceiver, and the third device transmits thesecond reception characteristic to the first wireless transceiver of thefirst device. The transmission from the third wireless transceiver cancomprises either a portion of an ongoing data exchange or a portion of atest message.

The first device, based on the first reception characteristic, selects afirst power level of the plurality of power levels for transmissions bythe first transceiver circuitry to the third transceiver circuitry. Thefirst device, based on the second reception characteristic, selects asecond power level of the plurality of power levels for transmissions bythe first transceiver circuitry to the second transceiver circuitry, andthe first power level is greater than the second power level.

In another mode of operation, the first device is further operable toselect the first power level of the plurality of power levels for thirdtransmissions by the first transceiver circuitry to the thirdtransceiver circuitry, and selects a third power level of the pluralityof power levels for fourth transmissions by the first transceivercircuitry to the third transceiver circuitry, and the first power levelis greater than the third power level. The first transmissions caninclude data packets and the second transmissions can includeacknowledgement data that is based on data packets received by the firstdevice from the second device. Alternatively, the first transmissionsand the second transmission both includes acknowledgement data that isbased on data packets received by the first device from the seconddevice. Further, the first device circuitry can alternates between Nfirst transmissions and M second transmissions, and N and M are bothintegers that are greater than zero.

In a further mode, the second and third devices transmit mobilitycharacteristics, status characteristics, and utilization characteristicsto the first device. The first device assesses at least a portion of themobility, status and utilization characteristics along with thereception characteristic to generate the power levels for itself and forthe second and third devices and for the protocol parameters used bythese devices to format transmissions that are sent and to decodetransmissions that are received. In particular, the first device, basedon the received characteristics, selects a first protocol parameter fortransmissions by the first device to the third device. The first device,based on the received characteristics, selects a second protocolparameter for transmissions by the first device to the second device,wherein the first protocol parameter can be either the same or differentfrom the second protocol parameter. The first device can be furtheroperable to select a third protocol parameter for transmissions by thesecond device to the first device and send the third protocol parameterto the second device and to select a fourth protocol parameter fortransmissions by the third device to the first device and send thefourth protocol parameter to the third device, such that the thirdprotocol parameter differs from the fourth protocol parameter.

In addition, the characteristics are assessed by the first device todetect the presence of an existing or potential hidden terminalcondition between the second device and the third device. Protocolparameters and/or power levels are selected in the event that the hiddenterminal condition is detected. These protocol parameters can be ofdifferent kinds, for instance, the protocol parameters can includeparameters such as an error correcting code parameter, a packet lengthparameter, a data payload length, and a contention parameter, data rate,an error detection parameter, coding scheme, and back-off parametersused in communication between devices, etc.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for use by a terminal,access point and/or an integrated circuit according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. In particular, the method may be used inconjunction with one or more features and functions presented inassociation with FIGS. 1A-9. In step 500, a first power level isselected for periodic beacon transmissions. In step 500, receptioncharacteristics, mobility characteristics, utilization characteristics,and status characteristics are received from one or more client devicesover a wireless link. In step 502, the signals received from one or moreclient devices over the wireless link are assessed and local receptioncharacteristics is generated. Such signals are either test signals orpart of ongoing communication exchanges. In step 504, transmission powerlevels and protocol parameters are determined for each of the clientdevices and for local use based on any part or all of the locallygenerated reception characteristics and the received mobility,reception, utilization, and status characteristics. In step 506, thelocal transmission power and protocol is adjusted, if needed, andcommands requesting transmission power and protocol adjustments are sentto each of the client devices as needed. This method is well suited forbeing implemented as operational instructions that are stored in amemory such as memory circuitry 306 and implemented using processingcircuitry such as processing circuitry 304.

For example, the status characteristics related to battery life mightindicate one or more of the following: whether the client device iscoupled to an external power source; the battery life for at least oneselected power level; the battery life for at least one coding scheme;the battery life for at least one data rate; the battery life based onan estimated channel usage; the battery life based on an estimate ofrequired deterministic bandwidth; and the battery life based on anestimate of non-deterministic bandwidth. The mobility characteristicsmight indicate, for example, one or more of the following: the clientdevice is in a stationary condition; the client device is in a lowmobility condition; the client device is in a high mobility condition;and a geographical coordinate of the client device.

The reception characteristics such as the assessment signal strengthmight include, for example, one or more of: a received signal strengthindicator (RSSI); a signal to noise ratio; a noise parameter; an amountof bit errors; and a bit error rate (BER). In one mode of operation, atest packet such as an echo packet is transmitted to the client devicewhere a reply packet is transmitted and received back. The number of biterrors or the BER for this particular packet can be calculated bycomparing the received data to the data that was transmitted.

In further mode of operation, received data is assessed based on thepayload of normal packets that are received. For instance, an errordetecting code such as a linear block code, convolutional code or errorcorrecting code can be used to determine the number of bit errors in thereceived data, within the coding limit of the particular code use. Forinstance, a (24,12) Golay code with optional CRC bit could detect up to4 errors in a 24 bit coded word before the coding limit was reached.

In one mode of operation, step 506 implements a plurality of powermanagement rules, based on the reception characteristics, and optionallythe mobility characteristics, battery life data and the assessedstrength of signals. These power management rules generate a selectedpower level for an access point (including a client device that performsthe functions of an access point), based on factors such the type oftransmission, the reception characteristics, status characteristics,utilization characteristics, mobility characteristics, and theparticular target device for the transmission. For instance, the accesspoint can transmit periodic beacons at a high power level that includeinformation relating to the access point and the packet switchedbackbone network such as a service set identifier (SSID) that identifiesthe network, a beacon interval that identifies the time between theperiodic beacon transmissions, a time stamp that indicates the time ofthe transmission, transmission rates that are supported by the accesspoint, parameters sets pertaining to specific signaling methods such aschannel number, hopping pattern, frequency hop dwell time etc.,capability information relating to the requirements that client devicesneed to associate with the access point such as encryption and otherprivacy information, a traffic indication map that identifies stationsin power saving mode, and/or other control information and data. Thesebeacons are used to support new associations with client devices thatenter the proximity of the access point or that otherwise become activewithin this proximity. In particular, these beacon signals are sent withan address field, such as a universal address, that addresses the beacontransmission to all client devices. A client device that wishes toassociate (or reassociate) with the wireless network, detects the beacontransmission and responds with an association response transmission,including the SSID, that begins the association (or reassociation)process between the new client device and the access point.

The access point is further operable to transmit other network controland management information, such as association responses, reassociationresponses, probe responses, clear to send signals, acknowledgements,power-save polls, contention-free end signals, and/or other informationor data in packets or frames at reduced power levels in order to limitinterference with neighboring networks, conserve power, etc. However,one or more other transmissions of the access point are sent betweenbeacon transmissions at a higher power level to support associations orreassociations by client devices that can only detect the higher powerlevel. While these frames or packets may be addressed to other clientdevices, a client device scanning to associate with a new wirelessnetwork, such as wireless network, can detect these packets or framesfor the limited purposes of determining the timing, protocol or rate ofthese transmissions, determining the received power level andidentifying other information pertaining to the network, such as theSSID, that is sufficient to produce an association request. In thisfashion, new associations can be supported at a frequency that isgreater than the frequency of the periodic beacon transmissions.

For example, the access point processing circuitry can assess both afirst plurality of characteristics and a second plurality ofcharacteristics received from two client devices associated therewith,and based on the assessment, select a second power level of theplurality of power levels for a first transmission of data packets bythe access point transceiver circuitry, addressed to a first of the twoclient devices, and the first power level of the plurality of powerlevels for a second transmission by the access point transceivercircuitry, also addressed to the first of the two client devices, andthe first power level is greater that the second power level. The firsttransmission can include data packets from the packet switched backbonenetwork and the second transmission can include acknowledgement datathat is based on data packets received by the access point transceivercircuitry from the first client transceiver circuitry. Alternatively,the first transmission and the second transmission can both include datapackets from the packet switched backbone network. Further, the firsttransmissions and the second transmissions can both includesacknowledgement data that is based on data packets received by theaccess point transceiver circuitry from the first client transceivercircuitry. Based on these transmissions a third client device havingthird client transceiver circuitry that detects the second transmission,responds to the detection by determining the timing of the transmissionand sends an association request transmission to the access pointtransceiver circuitry to initiate an association with the access pointto couple the third client device to the packet switched backbonenetwork via the access point transceiver circuitry, the access pointprocessing circuitry, and the communication interface circuitry. Inaddition, the access point processing circuitry can select a third powerlevel of the plurality of power levels for third transmissions by theaccess point transceiver circuitry to the second client transceivercircuitry and the first power level of the plurality of power levels forfourth transmissions by the access point transceiver circuitry to thesecond client transceiver circuitry, and the first power level isgreater than the second power level, that is greater that the thirdpower level.

The selection of the particular intermediate transmissions by the accesspoint, that are between the periodic beacons and are sent at a highpower level to support association by a client device, can be performedin several ways. For instance, transmissions of a particular type, suchas the transmission of data packets or frames, acknowledgement packetsor frames, or other types of control or management packets or frames canalternate between N transmissions at the reduced power level and Mtransmissions at the higher level, where N and M are integers that aregreater than zero. For instance, 1 of 2, 1 of 3, 1 of 4, 1 of 6, or 1 of16, etc., data frames or packets can be sent at the high power levelwith the other packets sent at the reduced power level. Or for instance,1 of 2, 1 of 3, 1 of 4, 1 of 6, or 1 of 16, etc., acknowledgement framesor packets can be sent at the high power level with the other packetssent at the reduced power level. Alternatively, the access point cankeep track of the timing between beacons to identify one or moreperiodic high-power transmission windows, such as midway between thesebeacons or equally spaced between these beacons. Transmissions of data,control or management packets or frames that occur during thesehigh-power transmission windows are automatically transmitted at thehigh power level.

Reduced power levels are determined based on reception characteristicsrelating to how well the client devices, such as the client devicesreceive these beacon transmissions can be generated by the clientassessment applications of these client devices and transmitted back tothe access point. In response, the management application determines acustomized power level for the access point to transmit to each clientdevice, that may be reduced from the maximum power output, but thatprovides sufficient power to be received by that particular clientdevice. The management application determines a high or intermediatepower level that is sufficient to be received by the client devicesassociated with the network. Specific packets, such as allacknowledgements (ACKs), every other ACK, every nth ACK etc., all datapackets, occasional data packets, etc. are transmitted by the accesspoint at the high or intermediate power level that will reach all of theassociated client devices, with the remaining packets transmitted at thepower level that is customized for the particular client device to whichthe packets are addressed.

In a further mode of operation, these power management rules establish aselected power level for a plurality of client devices that are equippedto receive the selected power level and to set the selected power levelaccordingly. The selected power levels are transmitted to thecorresponding client devices. The selected power level for each clientdevice can be a discrete variable that takes on one of a finite numberof values. For example, through operation of the power management rules,the method can determine which of the client devices are not being heardby other client devices. In response, a selected power level can beestablished for such client devices to optionally boost the transmissionpower so that they will be heard by some or all of the remaining clientdevices. In addition, power management rules can reduce the powergenerated by a client device that is generating a stronger thannecessary signal for being heard by the remaining client devices.

In a further example, an analysis of reception characteristics andbattery life data may reveal that a client device is easily detected byeach of the other devices and that it is running low on battery power.In response, a reduced power level can be selected for that device toextend its battery life.

In another example, an analysis of reception characteristics andmobility characteristics may reveal that a client device is highlymobile. Rather than relying solely on reception characteristics, thepower management rules select a power level for an access point orclient device that takes into consideration the client device's possiblemovement.

In addition, the protocol or protocols used in communicating betweendevices of the wireless network are adapted to the particularcharacteristics of the access point and the client devices. In one modeof operation, the method can selectively adjust one or more protocolparameters, such as the packet length, data rate, forward errorcorrection, error detection, coding scheme, data payload length,contention period, and back-off parameters used in communication betweendevices, based on the analysis of information, such as the receptioncharacteristics, status characteristics, utilization characteristics,and mobility characteristics of these devices. In this fashion, theprotocol parameters can optionally be adapted based on the conditions ofthe network, including not only the mobility, utilization, status, andreception characteristics of a particular device, but the mobility,utilization, status, and reception characteristics of a plurality ofdevices, including how well each device receives transmissions fromother devices.

In particular, the access point can select a first protocol parameterfor transmissions by the access point to a first client device when,based on assessment of its own characteristics, and characteristicsreceived from other devices including other client devices andpotentially other access points in the region, conditions are detectedthat warrant a change in protocol parameters, such as when an existingor potential hidden terminal condition is detected. In a mode ofoperation, the access point, when the existing or potential hiddenterminal condition is detected, selects a second protocol parameter fortransmissions by the first client device to the access point transceiverand sends the second protocol parameter to the first client device witha command for the first client device to implement the second protocolparameter. In addition, the access point, when the existing or potentialhidden terminal condition is detected, selects a third protocolparameter for transmissions by access point transceiver circuitry to asecond client device, the third protocol parameter differing from thesecond protocol parameter. Further, the access point, when the existingor potential hidden terminal condition is detected, selects a fourthprotocol parameter for transmissions by the second client device to theaccess point transceiver and sends the fourth protocol parameter to thesecond client device with a command for the second client device toimplement the fourth protocol parameter. These protocol parameters canbe of different kinds, for instance, the protocol parameters can includeparameters such as an error correcting code parameter, a packet lengthparameter, a data payload length, and a contention parameter, data rate,an error detection parameter, coding scheme, and back-off parametersused in communication between devices, etc.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method by use by a terminal,access point and/or an integrated circuit according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more features and functions presented inassociation with FIGS. 1A-10. This method is well suited for beingimplemented as operational instructions that are stored in a memory suchas memory circuitry 408 and implemented using processing circuitry suchas processing circuitry 406 of a client device that wirelesslycommunicates with an access point terminal or other client device.

In step 600, parameters such as operating status, client applicationstatus, anticipated requirements, battery status, mobility, and strengthof signals received from other devices are assessed. In step 602characteristics are generated based on the parameters assessed in step600. In step 604, these characteristics are transmitted. In step 606 acommand is received that requests a particular transmission power leveland protocol adjustments such as a change in protocol parameter orchange or protocol. In step 608, data is transmitted wirelessly at theselected power level and with the selected protocol.

A further mode of operation a first client device initially transmitsbased on a first protocol parameter. Transmissions received from both anaccess point, and a second client device, are evaluated and the firstclient device transmits to the access point a first plurality ofcharacteristics relating to the evaluation by the first client device. Atransmission from the access point is received that includes a secondprotocol parameter. The first client device transmits based on thesecond protocol parameter. The first plurality of characteristics caninclude mobility characteristics, utilization characteristics and/orstatus characteristics. The step of receiving a transmission from theaccess point can also include receiving a third protocol parameter andthe method can include decoding transmissions received from the accesspoint transceiver circuitry based on the third protocol parameter.

As with the method of FIG. 10, an access point, terminal or other clientdevice can selectively adjust one or more protocol parameters, such asthe packet length, data rate, forward error correction, error detection,coding scheme, data payload length, contention period, and back-offparameters used in communication between devices, based on the analysisof information, such as the reception characteristics, statuscharacteristics, utilization characteristics, and mobilitycharacteristics of these devices. In this fashion, the protocolparameters can optionally be adapted based on the conditions of thenetwork, including not only the mobility, utilization, status, andreception characteristics of a particular device, but the mobility,utilization, status, and reception characteristics of a plurality ofdevices, including how well each device receives transmissions fromother devices.

In particular, the access point can select a first protocol parameterfor transmissions by the access point to a first client device when,based on assessment of its own characteristics, and characteristicsreceived from other devices including other client devices andpotentially other access points in the region, conditions are detectedthat warrant a change in protocol parameters, such as when a existing orpotential hidden terminal condition is detected. In a mode of operation,the access point, when the existing or potential hidden terminalcondition is detected, selects a second protocol parameter fortransmissions by the first client device to the access point transceiverand sends the second protocol parameter to the first client device witha command for the first client device to implement the second protocolparameter. In addition, the access point, when the existing or potentialhidden terminal condition is detected, selects a third protocolparameter for transmissions by access point transceiver circuitry to asecond device, the third protocol parameter differing from the secondprotocol parameter. Further, the access point, when the existing orpotential hidden terminal condition is detected, selects a fourthprotocol parameter for transmissions by the second client device to theaccess point transceiver and sends the fourth protocol parameter to thesecond client device with a command for the second client device toimplement the fourth protocol parameter. These protocol parameters canbe of different kinds, for instance, the protocol parameters can includeparameters such as an error correcting code parameter, a packet lengthparameter, a data payload length, and a contention parameter, data rate,an error detection parameter, coding scheme, and back-off parametersused in communication between devices, etc.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method by use by a terminal,access point and/or an integrated circuit according to anotherembodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more features and functionspresented in association with FIGS. 1A-11. This method is well suitedfor being implemented as operational instructions that are stored in amemory such as memory circuitry 306 and implemented using processingcircuitry such as processing circuitry 304 of an access point thatwirelessly couples a first client device and a second client device to apacket switched backbone network.

In step 700, characteristics such as mobility, reception, utilizationand status characteristics are received from a plurality of clientdevices that include the first and second client devices. In step 702,these characteristics are assessed to detect a potential hidden terminalcondition between the first and second client devices. In step 704, thelocal transmission power and protocol is adjusted and the selectedtransmit power levels and protocols are determined for the clientsdevices and sent to the client devices along with commands to implementthe selected power levels and protocols.

In a mode of operation, a first plurality of characteristics arereceived relating to an evaluation by the first client device oftransmissions received by the first client device from both the accesspoint and the second client device. A second plurality ofcharacteristics are received relating to an evaluation by the secondclient device of transmissions received by the second client device fromboth the access point and the first client device. Both the firstplurality of characteristics and the second plurality of characteristicsare assessed and, based on the assessment, a hidden terminal conditionis detected. A first protocol parameter is selected for transmissions bythe access point to the first client device when the hidden terminalcondition is detected. A second protocol parameter can likewise beselected, when the hidden terminal condition is detected, fortransmissions by the first client device to the access point and sent tothe first client device with a command for the first client device toimplement the second protocol parameter. In addition, a third protocolparameter can be selected for transmissions by access point transceivercircuitry to the second client transceiver when the hidden terminalcondition is detected, the third protocol parameter differing from thefirst protocol parameter. Further, a fourth protocol parameter canlikewise be selected, when the hidden terminal condition is detected,for transmissions by the second client device to the access point andsent to the second client device with a command for the second clientdevice to implement the fourth protocol parameter.

As with the method of FIG. 10, an access point, terminal or other clientdevice can selectively adjust one or more protocol parameters, such asthe packet length, data rate, forward error correction, error detection,coding scheme, data payload length, contention period, and back-offparameters used in communication between devices, based on the analysisof information, such as the reception characteristics, statuscharacteristics, utilization characteristics, and mobilitycharacteristics of these devices. In this fashion, the protocolparameters can optionally be adapted based on the conditions of thenetwork, including not only the mobility, utilization, status, andreception characteristics of a particular device, but the mobility,utilization, status, and reception characteristics of a plurality ofdevices, including how well each device receives transmissions fromother devices.

In particular, the access point can select a first protocol parameterfor transmissions by the access point to a first client device when,based on assessment of its own characteristics, and characteristicsreceived from other devices including other client devices andpotentially other access points in the region, conditions are detectedthat warrant a change in protocol parameters, such as when a hiddenterminal condition is detected. In a mode of operation, the accesspoint, when the hidden terminal condition is detected, selects a secondprotocol parameter for transmissions by the first client device to theaccess point transceiver and sends the second protocol parameter to thefirst client device with a command for the first client device toimplement the second protocol parameter. In addition, the access point,when the hidden terminal condition is detected, selects a third protocolparameter for transmissions by access point transceiver circuitry to asecond device, the third protocol parameter differing from the secondprotocol parameter. Further, the access point, when the hidden terminalcondition is detected, selects a fourth protocol parameter fortransmissions by the second client device to the access pointtransceiver and sends the fourth protocol parameter to the second clientdevice with a command for the second client device to implement thefourth protocol parameter. These protocol parameters can be of differentkinds, for instance, the protocol parameters can include parameters suchas an error correcting code parameter, a packet length parameter, a datapayload length, and a contention parameter, data rate, an errordetection parameter, coding scheme, and back-off parameters used incommunication between devices, etc.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method by use by a terminal,access point and/or an integrated circuit according to a furtherembodiment of the present invention. Operation 1300 begins with a clientdevice listening for transmissions between other client devices and theaccess point (step 1302). Such listening for transmissions by the clientdevice between other client devices and the access point may occur atall times, based upon the battery life of a battery powered clientdevice, based upon processing availability of processing resources ofclient device, or based upon other characteristics. Based upon thetransmissions received by the client device, the client devicecharacterizes the transmissions (step 1304). Such characterization atstep 1304 may include characterizing the received power of thetransmissions that are intercepted, whether or not the listening clientdevice is able to receive the transmission error free, and othertransmission characteristics.

After collection of the transmission characteristics, the client deviceforwards the characterizations to the access point (step 1306). Then,during some operations, the client device may receive a direction tobegin relaying transmissions between the access point and another of theclient devices (step 1308). Further, in another operation, the clientdevice may be requested to relay communications between a pair ofdiffering client devices. In relaying transmissions between two otherwireless devices, the client device may relay transmissions in bothdirections or in only one direction. For example, with an access pointhaving sufficient forward link transmission power to adequately serviceits coverage area, the client device need not relay communicationstransmitted by the access point that are intended for a client device.Further, with this example, a client device may operate on the fringesof the coverage area of the access point so that its transmissions donot have sufficient strength to be successfully received by the accesspoint. In such case, the relay proxy client device will relaytransmissions sent by the other client device intended for the accesspoint. In such relaying, the client device will receive the wirelesstransmissions from the other client device and will re-transmit them tothe access point.

The relaying operations of step 1308 may continue for a short period oftime, a long period of time or any time in between. For example, therelaying operation of step 1308 may occur on atransmission-by-transmission basis, for duration of time, or until theaccess point directs the client device to cease relaying thetransmissions. Upon a direction from the access point, the access pointmay direct the client device to cease relaying of transmissions (step1310). In such case, the client device ceases relaying transmissionsbetween the access point and another client device. From any of steps1302-1310, operation may return to step 1302. For example, even whilethe client is relaying transmissions between the access point and adifferent client device or between two different client devices, theclient device may continue to characterize transmissions received fromnot only that device pair but from other devices as well and to forwardthese characterizations to the access point.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method by use by a wirelessterminal, access point and/or an integrated circuit according to yetanother embodiment of the present invention. Operation 1400 commenceswith a client device intercepting one or more transmissions from one ormore of the client devices intended for the access point (step 1402).Alternatively, the client device could intercept transmissions sent fromthe access point intended for another client device at step 1402.Operation proceeds with the client device receiving a request from theaccess point to repeat an intercepted wireless transmission (step 1404).In one example of this operation, the access point requests the clientdevice to repeat a transmission from the different client device thatthe current client device has intercepted at step 1402. The clientdevice then transmits the intercepted transmission to the access point(step 1406). The client device may then compare the frequency at whichit has repeated or relayed intercepted transmissions to a frequencythreshold (step 1408). If the client device determines that thefrequency of its repeated transmissions exceeds the threshold, theclient device may initiate or commence a permanent relaying oftransmissions (step 1410), which continues until reset. Alternatively,the client device may continue with the selected relaying of wirelesstransmissions of steps 1402-1408. Of course, when the client devicecommences a permanent relaying of transmissions between a first clientdevice and the access point, the client device could still intercept andrepeat transmissions between the access point and other client devices.Thus, the operation of step 1410 does not preclude the operation ofsteps 1402-1408.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method by use by a terminal,access point and/or an integrated circuit according to yet a furtherembodiment of the present invention. Operation 1500 commences with anaccess point sending a request to one or more client devices to reporttheir transmission, status, and/or mobility characteristics (step 1502).Transmission, status, and mobility characteristics have been describedhere in detail with reference to FIGS. 1A-14. Operation 1500 continueswith the client devices determining their transmission, status, and/ormobility characteristics (step 1504). The client devices then transmittheir transmission, status, and/or mobility characteristics to theaccess point (step 1506).

The access point then selects a first client device to act as a relayproxy for a second client (step 1508). The selection of the first clientdevice as the relay proxy for the second client device is based upon oneor more of the transmission, status, and/or mobility characteristicsrecorded by the client devices to the access point at step 1506. Then,based upon the direction received from the access point, the firstclient device acts as a relay proxy for the second client device (step1512). In acting as the relay proxy for the second client device, thefirst client device relays communications between the access point 110and the serviced client device. Such relaying operations may beunidirectional or bidirectional as determined or required by theparticular operations of the wireless network.

The terms “circuit” and “circuitry” as used herein may refer to anindependent circuit or to a portion of a multifunctional circuit thatperforms multiple underlying functions. For example, depending on theembodiment, processing circuitry may be implemented as a single chipprocessor or as a plurality of processing chips. Likewise, a firstcircuit and a second circuit may be combined in one embodiment into asingle circuit or, in another embodiment, operate independently perhapsin separate chips. The term “chip”, as used herein, refers to anintegrated circuit. Circuits and circuitry may comprise general orspecific purpose hardware, or may comprise such hardware and associatedsoftware such as firmware or object code.

The present invention has also been described above with the aid ofmethod steps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the performance of certainsignificant functions. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description.Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significantfunctions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocksmay also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certainsignificant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram blockboundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and stillperform the certain significant functionality. Such alternatedefinitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocksand sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimedinvention. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that thefunctional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules andcomponents herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discretecomponents, application specific integrated circuits, processorsexecuting appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “coupled to” and/or “coupling” and/or includes direct couplingbetween items and/or indirect coupling between items via an interveningitem (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, anelement, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirect coupling, theintervening item does not modify the information of a signal but mayadjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As mayfurther be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element iscoupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirectcoupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”. As mayeven further be used herein, the term “operable to” indicates that anitem includes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s),etc., to perform one or more its corresponding functions and may furtherinclude inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may stillfurther be used herein, the term “associated with”, includes directand/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item beingembedded within another item. As may be used herein, the term “comparesfavorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items,signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when thedesired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude thansignal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude ofsignal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude ofsignal 2 is less than that of signal 1.

The present invention has also been described above with the aid ofmethod steps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

Moreover, although described in detail for purposes of clarity andunderstanding by way of the aforementioned embodiments, the presentinvention is not limited to such embodiments. It will be obvious to oneof average skill in the art that various changes and modifications maybe practiced within the spirit and scope of the invention, as limitedonly by the scope of the appended claims.

1. A wireless network in a communication infrastructure having a packetswitched backbone network, the wireless network comprising: an accesspoint, communicatively coupled to the packet switched backbone network,having access point processing circuitry and access point wirelesstransceiver circuitry; a plurality of client devices, each having clientprocessing circuitry and client wireless transceiver circuitry; theaccess point processing circuitry, using the access point wirelesstransceiver circuitry and an associated set of communication parameters:managing communications both between the plurality of client devices andthe packet switched backbone network; receiving receptioncharacteristics from at least some of the plurality of client devices,each reception characteristic received from a client device relating toevaluations made by the client device regarding transmissionsintercepted by the client device, the intercepted transmissions betweenanother of the plurality of client devices and the access point; basedupon the received reception characteristics, selecting a first clientdevice to act as a relay proxy to relay wireless transmissions betweenthe access point and a second client device; and directing the firstclient device to act as a relay proxy to relay wireless transmissionsbetween the access point and the second client device.
 2. The wirelessnetwork of claim 1, the access point processing circuitry, using theaccess point wireless transceiver circuitry and an associated set ofcommunication parameters further: receiving status characteristics fromat least some of the plurality of client devices, each statuscharacteristic received from a client device relating to statuscharacteristics of the client device; and wherein selecting the firstclient device to act as a relay proxy by relaying wireless transmissionsbetween the access point and the second client device is further basedupon the status characteristics of the first client device.
 3. Thewireless network of claim 2, wherein the access point processingcircuitry, using the access point wireless transceiver circuitry and anassociated set of communication parameters determining whether to directthe first client device to act as a relay proxy further based upon thestatus characteristics of the second client device.
 4. The wirelessnetwork of claim 2, wherein status characteristics received from thefirst client device indicate that the first client device is wall plugpowered.
 5. The wireless network of claim 1, the access point processingcircuitry, using the access point wireless transceiver circuitry and anassociated set of communication parameters further: receiving mobilitycharacteristics from at least some of the plurality of client devices,each mobility characteristic received from a client device relating tomobility characteristics of the client device; and wherein selecting thefirst client device to act as a relay proxy by relaying wirelesstransmissions between the access point and the second client device isfurther based upon the mobility characteristics of at least one of thefirst client device and the second client device.
 6. The wirelessnetwork of claim 5, wherein the mobility characteristics indicate thatthe first client device is stationary.
 7. The wireless network of claim1, the access point processing circuitry, using the access pointwireless transceiver circuitry and an associated set of communicationparameters further: receiving utilization characteristics from at leastsome of the plurality of client devices, each utilization characteristicreceived from a client device relating to utilization characteristics ofthe client device; and wherein selecting the first client device to actas a relay proxy by relaying wireless transmissions between the accesspoint and the second client device is further based upon the utilizationcharacteristics of the first client device.
 8. The wireless network ofclaim 7, wherein the utilization characteristics indicate that the firstclient device has sufficient communication capability and processingcapability to relay the wireless transmissions between the access pointand the second client device.
 9. The wireless network of claim 1,wherein in relaying wireless transmissions between the access point andthe second client device, the first client device relays onlytransmissions sent by the second client device to the access point. 10.The wireless network of claim 1, wherein in relaying wirelesstransmissions between the access point and the second client device, thefirst client device: relays transmissions sent by the second clientdevice to the access point; and relays transmissions sent by the accesspoint to the second client device.
 11. An access point for use in awireless network to service a plurality of client devices including afirst client device and a second client device, the access pointcomprising: a network interface coupled to a packet switched backbonenetwork; access point wireless transceiver circuitry; and access pointprocessing circuitry coupled to the network interface and to the accesspoint wireless transceiver circuitry, the access point processingcircuitry, using the access point wireless transceiver circuitry and anassociated set of communication parameters: manages communicationsbetween the plurality of client devices and the packet switched backbonenetwork; receives reception characteristics from at least some of theplurality of client devices, each reception characteristic received froma client device relating to evaluations made by the client deviceregarding transmissions intercepted by the client device transmittedbetween another of the plurality of client devices and the access point;based upon the received reception characteristics, selects a firstclient device to act as a relay proxy by relaying wireless transmissionsbetween the access point and the second client device; and directing thefirst client device to act as a relay proxy by relaying wirelesstransmissions between the access point and the second client device. 12.The access point of claim 11, the access point processing circuitry,using the access point wireless transceiver circuitry and an associatedset of communication parameters further: receives status characteristicsfrom at least some of the plurality of client devices, each statuscharacteristic received from a client device relating to statuscharacteristics of the client device; and wherein the selection of thefirst client device to act as a relay proxy by relaying wirelesstransmissions between the access point and the second client device isfurther based upon the status characteristics of the first clientdevice.
 13. The access point of claim 12, wherein the access pointprocessing circuitry, using the access point wireless transceivercircuitry and an associated set of communication parameters determineswhether to direct the first client device to act as a relay proxyfurther based upon the status characteristics of the second clientdevice.
 14. The access point of claim 12, wherein status characteristicsreceived from the first client device indicate that the first clientdevice is wall plug powered.
 15. The access point of claim 11, theaccess point processing circuitry, using the access point wirelesstransceiver circuitry and an associated set of communication parametersfurther: receives mobility characteristics from at least some of theplurality of client devices, each mobility characteristic received froma client device relating to mobility characteristics of the clientdevice; and wherein the selection of the first client device to act as arelay proxy by relaying wireless transmissions between the access pointand the second client device is further based upon the mobilitycharacteristics of at least one of the first client device and thesecond client device.
 16. The access point of claim 15, wherein themobility characteristics indicate that the first client device isstationary.
 17. The access point of claim 11, the access pointprocessing circuitry, using the access point wireless transceivercircuitry and an associated set of communication parameters further:receives utilization characteristics from at least some of the pluralityof client devices, each mobility characteristic received from a clientdevice relating to utilization characteristics of the client device; andwherein the selection of the first client device to act as a relay proxyby relaying wireless transmissions between the access point and thesecond client device is further based upon the utilizationcharacteristics of the first client device.
 18. The access point ofclaim 17, wherein the utilization characteristics indicate that thefirst client device has sufficient communication capability andprocessing capability to relay the wireless transmissions between theaccess point and the second client device.
 19. The access point of claim11, wherein in relaying wireless transmissions between the access pointand the second client device, the first client device relays onlytransmissions sent by the second client device to the access point. 20.The access point of claim 11, wherein in relaying wireless transmissionsbetween the access point and the second client device, the first clientdevice: relays transmissions sent by the second client device to theaccess point; and relays transmissions sent by the access point to thesecond client device.
 21. A client device for use in a wireless networkin a communication infrastructure having a packet switched backbonenetwork and having an access point communicatively coupled to the packetswitched backbone network and a different client device, the clientdevice comprising: client device wireless transceiver circuitry; clientdevice processing circuitry; and the client processing circuitry, usingthe client device wireless transceiver circuitry: receiving a requestfrom the access point to report reception characteristics relating toevaluations made by the client device regarding transmissionsintercepted by the client device transmitted between another of theplurality of client devices and the access point; determining receptioncharacteristics relating to transmissions intercepted by the clientdevice transmitted between another of the plurality of client devicesand the access point; reporting the reception characteristics to theaccess point; receiving a direction from the access point to act as arelay proxy to relay wireless transmissions between the access point andthe different client device; and acting as a relay proxy to relaywireless transmissions between the access point and the different clientdevice.
 22. The client device of claim 21, the client device processingcircuitry, using the client device wireless transceiver circuitry and anassociated set of communication parameters further: receiving a requestfrom the access point to report status characteristics relating to astatus of the client device; determining status characteristics of theclient device; reporting the status characteristics to the access point;wherein the selection of the client device to act as a relay proxy byrelaying wireless transmissions between the access point and thedifferent client device is further based upon the status characteristicsof the client device.
 23. The client device of claim 22, wherein theaccess point processing circuitry, using the client device wirelesstransceiver circuitry and an associated set of communication parametersdetermines whether to direct the client device to act as a relay proxyfurther based upon the status characteristics of the different clientdevice.
 24. The client device of claim 22, wherein reported statuscharacteristics of the client device indicate that the client device iswall plug powered.
 25. The client device of claim 21, the client deviceprocessing circuitry, using the client device wireless transceivercircuitry and an associated set of communication parameters further:receiving a request from the access point to report statuscharacteristics relating to a mobility of the client device; determiningmobility characteristics of the client device; reporting the mobilitycharacteristics to the access point; wherein the selection of the clientdevice to act as a relay proxy by relaying wireless transmissionsbetween the access point and the different client device is furtherbased upon the mobility characteristics of the client device.
 26. Theclient device of claim 25, wherein the mobility characteristics indicatethat the client device is stationary.
 27. The client device of claim 21,the client device processing circuitry, using the client device wirelesstransceiver circuitry and an associated set of communication parametersfurther: receives utilization characteristics from at least some of theplurality of client devices, each mobility characteristic received froma client device relating to mobility characteristics of the clientdevice; and wherein the selection of the client device to act as a relayproxy by relaying wireless transmissions between the access point andthe different client device is further based upon the utilizationcharacteristics of the client device.
 28. The client device of claim 27,wherein the utilization characteristics indicate that the client devicehas sufficient communication capability and processing capability torelay the wireless transmissions between the access point and thedifferent client device.
 29. The client device of claim 21, wherein inrelaying wireless transmissions between the access point and thedifferent client device, the client device relays only transmissionssent by the different client device to the access point.
 30. The clientdevice of claim 21, wherein in relaying wireless transmissions betweenthe access point and the different client device, the client device:relays transmissions sent by the different client device to the accesspoint; and relays transmissions sent by the access point to thedifferent client device.